/CRY 


:10LOGY 
IGRARY 


FOREST  AND  JUNGL 

OR 

THRILLING  ADVENTURES 

IN 

.  "x  ALL  QUARTERS  OF  THE  GLOBE 


AN 


ILLUSTRATED  HISTORY  OF  THE  ANIMAL  KINGDOM 

BY 

-  P.  T.   BARNUM 

Written  in  Easy  and  Instructive  Form 
FOR  BOYS  AND  GIRLS 

Embracing  Vivid  Descriptions  of  the  Manner  of  Capture  and  Taming 

of  Wild  Beasts,  Birds  and  Reptiles  for  the  Menageries 

and   Zoological   Gardens   of  the  World. 


CHICAGO     NEW  YORK : 

THE  WERNER  COMPANY 

1897 


COPYRIGHT,    1896, 


THE  WERNER  COMPANY. 


L 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER. 

I.  DANGEROUS  GAME, 

II.  A  WEAPON  OF  NATURE, 

III.  How  CURIOSITIES  ARE  CAPTURED, 

IV.  MY  AFRICAN  EXPEDITION,     . 
V.  THE  CAMP  IN  BECHUANA  LAND, 

VI.  A  STARTLING  VISIT,  . 

VII.  AN  ATTACK  IN  THE  REAR, 

VIII.  THE  CHAMPION  OF  STUPIDITY, 

IX.  AN  OVERTHROW,  .  .  . 

X.  A  DARING  EXPLOIT, 

XI.  A  WONDERFUL  PERFORMANCE,   . 

XII.  THE  WILD  MEN, 

XIII.  THE  HUMAN  BUCKLER,    .  . 

XIV.  AFRICAN  VERSUS  AMERICAN, 
XV.  A  MASTERLY  RETREAT,    .  . 

XVI.  IN  THE  TREE  TOP,     . 

XVII.  A  TIMELY  ARRIVAL,          .  . 

XVIII.  A  STRANGE  SCENE,   .  . 

XIX.  IN  THE  NICK  OF  TIME,     . 

XX.  A  DISCOVERY, 

XXI.  ON  THE  CREST  OF  THE  HILL,      . 

XXII.  A  MISCALCULATION,  . 

XXIII.  THE  HORNS  OF  A  DILEMMA, 

XXIV.  THE  WHIZZ  OF  A  BOOMERANG, 
XXV.  TURNING  ABOUT,  .  . 

XXVI.  «  ALL  TOGETHER,"     ..         . 

XXVII.  THE  FRETFUL  PORCUPINE,  . 

XXVIII.  THE  SECRETARY-BIRD,       ,;, 

XXIX.  A  STRANGE  SCENE,          .  , 

XXX.  A  FRIEND  IN  NEED,  . 


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CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER. 

XXXI.  "ONE,  Two,  THREE!"    . 

XXXII.  CONCERNING  SNAKES,  .  .  < 

XXXIII.  A  REMINISCENCE,  .  .  « 

XXXIV.  BEARS  AND  KANGAROOS,       .  .  , 
XXXV.  A  THIEF  OF  THE  NIGHT, 

XXXVI.  As  IN  THE  OLDEN  DAYS, 

XXXVII.  "GooD-BY,  SWEETHEART!" 

XXXVIII.  FUNNY  VISITORS, 

XXXIX.  "I'VE  GOT  HIM!" 

XL.  As  TO  BABOONS,  < 

XLI.  SOME  WONDERS  OF  THE  ANIMAL  KINGDOM, 

XLII.  THE  DARKENING  SKY, 

XLIII.  OUT  IN  THE  NIGHT, 

XLIV.  PEERING  OUT  INTO  THE  GLOOM, 

XLV.  ON  THE  TRAIL,    .... 

XLVI.  THE  GLIMMER  OF  A  CAMP-FIRE,       .  , 

XLVII.  A  CLEVER  STRATAGEM,    .  .  . 

XLVIII.  THE  CAPTIVE  AND  HIS  CAPTORS,       .  . 

XLIX.  AT  THE  VILLAGE,  .  .  . 

L.  LIVELY  TIMES, 

LI.  THE  RHINOCEROS-HUNTERS,        .  . 

LII.  THE  BUPHAGA  AFRICANA,      .  .  < 

LIII.  TURNING  THE  TABLES,     .  .  . 

LIV.  A  LOST  HOTTENTOT,  .  . 

LV.  DIEDRICK'S  VICISSITUDES,  .  . 

LVI.  A  WHOLE  ARMFUL, 

LVII.  THE  BEHEMOTH,  .  .  . 

LVIII.  THE  CRASH  OF  SPLINTERING  WOOD, 

LIX.  A  STROKE  OF  FORTUNE,  .  . 

LX.  THE  GUNS  OF  BURRISAUL,     . 

LXI.  AN  UNPLEASANT  BEDFELLOW, 

LXII.  BANG  !  BANG  !  BANG  !  BANG  !  BANG  1 

LXIII.  BUILDING  BETTER  THAN  HE  KNEW,         . 

LXIV.  THE  TIGER-HUNTERS,          ~.  . 

LXV.  THE  TIGER, 

LXVI.  A  FORTUNATE  SHOT,  .  . 


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•  363 


CONTEXTS. 


CHAPTER. 

LXVII.  A  FRIGHTFUL  OCCURRENCE, 

LXVIII.  CAUGHT  IN  THE  ACT, 

LXIX.  Two  CURIOSITIES,      .  •       .          .          . 

LXX.  ATTACKED  IN  FRONT  AND  REAR, 

LXXI.  JUMBO  AND  TOUNG  TALOUNG, 

LXXII.  AN  INTERLOPER,  .... 

LXXIII.  A  FLYING  SHOT  OR  Two, 

LXXIV.  A  STRANGE  EXPERIENCE, 

LXXV.  ANOTHER  "CLOSE  CALL," 

LXXVI.  DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA, 

LXXVII.  IN  THE  LAND  OF  THE  GORILLA, 

LXXVIII.  ON  THE  EDGE  OF  THE  POOL, 

LXXIX.  A  STRANGE  BATTLE,          .... 

LXXX.  A  BATTLE  OF  GIANTS,  . 

LXXXI.  A  CAMP-FIRE  VISITOR, 

LXXXII.  THE  KING  OF  THE    JUNGLE, 

LXXXIII.  HOME  AGAIN,    ..... 

LXXXIV.  THE  REASON  WHY  IN  NATURAL  HISTORY, 


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380 

391 
402 

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418 

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443 
448 

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462 

469 

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482 

489 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS. 


INITIAL  VIGNETTE — TROPICAL  LANDSCAPE, 

EAGER  TO  ATTACK,  BUT  AFRAID, 

"  HE  LET  FLY  THREE  TIMES  IN  SUCCESSION,' 

LEOPARD,     

VIGNETTE— "WAITING,"       .... 

BY  THE  STREAM, 

LEOPARD, .      . 

SHIPS  OF  THE  DESERT, 

A  TROUBLESOME  CAPTIVE 

THE  JUNGLE  AND  SOME  OF  ITS  DENIZENS,    . 
JACK  HARVEY  AND  APACHE,    .... 

AFRICAN  Ox, 

THE  CAMP  IN  BECHUANA  LAND,  . 

HARTBEEST, 

ONE  OF  THE  NATIVES 

A  RUSTLING  IN  THE  GRASS,       . 

LION, 

A  STARTLING  VISIT, 

THE  DEATH  SHOT, 

"  WHAT  THINK  OF  HIM  ?" 

TRIUMPHANT, 

OSTRICH  HUNTING, 

AN  OVERTURN 

TURNING  THE  TABLES, 

A  WONDERFUL  FEAT, 

HOTTENTOT  INGENUITY, 

THE  RHEA,  OR  AMERICAN  OSTRICH,    . 

THE  WILD  BUSHMEN 

AN  EFFECTIVE  SHIELD, 

THE  POISONED  ARROW,        .      .      .     •.      . 

IN  COWBOY  STYLE, 

AN  AFRICAN  TOBOGGAN  SLIDE,  . 

GETTING  DOWN  TO  BUSINESS, 

SKELETON  OF  THE  GIRAFFE,       .      ... 

AFRICAN  BUFFALO,      ...... 

THE  BISON,       .      ....      ,      ....... 

BUFFALO  AND  LION,  .       .      .      . 

INGRATITUDE, 

AN  UNEXPECTED  ATTACK 

AN  EARNEST  CONFERENCE, 


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THE  SPRING-BOK, 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  ANTELOPES, 

THE  GNU, 

THE  SABER  ANTELOPE, 

ZEBRA  ANTELOPE, 

THE  ELAND, . 

THE  AFRICAN  ELEPHANT,       ... 

ORYX, 

THE  KOODOO, 

"' DOWN  !'  WHISPERED  DICK," 

IN  HOT  PURSUIT, 

THE  SPOTTED  HYENA, 

A  WARM  RECEPTION, 

THE  STRIPED  HYENA, 

AN  UNEXPECTED  RECEPTION, 

GONE  CLEAN  DAFT, 

THE  ADDAX, 

"  LOOK  OUT  !  HE'S  GOING  TO  STRIKE  !  " 

THE  BOSCH  VARK 

ETHIOPIAN  WART  HOG,      .... 

THE  BABIROUSSA, 

"  HE  FELL  FROM  THE  BACK  OF  HIS  STEED,' 

THE  QUAGGA,  

BURCHELL'S  ZEBRA, 

"  ME  SHOW  SOMETHING," 

THE  TREE  PORCUPINE, 

THE  TUFTED-TAIL  PORCUPINE, 

AN  AWKWARD  PET, 

"I'LL  LEAVE  YOU  HERE,  APACHE,"     . 

THE  SECRETARY-BIRD, 

A  STRANGE  COMBAT, 

A  DISMAL  REGION, 

A  FRIEND  IN  NEED, 

THE  ORNITHOLOGIST, 

VIGNETTE  —  CHAMELEON,        . 
"THIRTY-ONE  FEET,  THREE  INCHES,"    . 

VIGNETTE  —  SNAKE, 

BOA-CONSTRICTOR,  .      .      .      .      .      . 

A  PRODUCT  OF  OUR  OWN  COUNTRY,   .      . 
THE  COBRA  DE  CAPELLO,      .      .      .     V 
THE  HORNED  SNAKE, 


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LIST    OF     ILLUSTRATIONS. 


ANOTHER  SPECIMEN, 

A  PIT  VIPER, 

VIGNETTE  —  A  TREE-TOP  FROLIC,    . 

THE  GRIZZLY  BEAR, 

"OLD  EPHRAIM  HAD  COME  TO  TOWN,"  . 

INITIAL  —  KANGAROO, 

COMMON  BROWN  BEAR,       .... 
BLACK  BEAR,  . 

KANGAROO  FAMILY, 

THE  MALAY  BEAR 

POLAR  BEARS 

THE  BADGER, 

ELEPHANT  SHREW  MOUSE,  .... 

THE  KANGAROO  MOUSE, 

THE  DUCK-BILL,  OR  ORNITHORHYNCHUS, 

EMU, 

A  LEAP  FOR  THE  CHAMPIONSHIP,     . 
MEN  HUNTING  THE  EMU,        .... 
"THE  OUTLINES  OF  A  MAN'S  HEAD  ROSE," 

As  IN  THE  OLDEN  TIME, 

THE  TEST 

VIGNETTE — SPIDER  MONKEYS, 

THE  GENET, 

"  SOMETHING  OUT  THERE  IN  THE  GRASS,"  . 

A  SLY  THIEF 

A  SECOND  Too  LATE, 

"  I'VE  GOT  HIM  !  " 

A  FAMILY  PARTY, 

ORANG-OUTANG, 

HEAD  OF  ORANG-OUTANG,       .      .      .      . 

A  CONCERT, 

CHACMA, 

GELADA 

THE  DRILL 

MANDRILL,  .     ' 

GROUP  OF  HOWLERS, 

LONG-NOSED  MONKEYS,        .... 
VIGNETTE — THE  TARANTULA, 

THE  ANT-LION, 

THE  ANT-LION'S  TRAP, 

THE  CHAMEI.F.ON, 

THE  BELTED  ARMADILLO, 

THE  BALL-SHAPED  ARMADILLO, 

THE  TAMANOIR, 

THE  AYE-AYE, 

MARTENS, 

"  WE  ARE  READY  !" 

AN  AFRICAN  TEMPEST,       .... 

"  IT  VANISHED  IN  THE  GLOOM," 

THE  LIGHTNING'S  FLASH,        . 

"  HE  ALMOST  FELL  HEADLONG,"       .      .  , 


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26l 


"  THE  THREE  LOOKED  LONG  AND  CLOSELY," 

A  STARTLING  DISCOVERY,     .... 
"  HE  CAUGHT  THE  STAR-LIKE  TWINKLE,"  . 
"  HIS  ARMS  WERE  SUDDENLY  SEIZED,"   . 

CAPTIVE  AND  CAPTORS, 

HUNTING  FOR  POISON, 

THE  PARLEY,  .      .      .      .      . 

"  '  I  SAW  HIM  !  '  EXCLAIMED  BOB,"  . 

LIVELY  TIMES 

RHINOCEROS  OF  INDIA, 

"  HE  CAUGHT  SIGHT  OF  THE  VAST  BEAST," 

A  SUDDEN  ATTACK,       

"  HE  SEES  ME," 

TWO-HORNED  RHINOCEROS, 

A  DOUBLE  CHASE, 

PONDEROUS  GAME, 

A  TROUBLESOME  CAPTIVE,       .... 

THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS, 

A  RESISTLESS  ATTACK, 

"COME!     HELP!  " 

"  I  PULLED  TRIGGER," 

THE  SACRED  Cow, 

THE  GAYAL, 

Music's  CHARMS, 

"  FIVE  REPORTS  RANG  OUT,"   . 

TIGER 

A  SERPENT-CHARMER, 

TIGRESS  AND  CUBS 

WHITE-TAILED  ICHEUMON,      . 

IN  A  TIGHT  PLACE 

TIGER  AND  DEER 

A  STRIKING  TABLEAUX,        .... 

WARM  WORK, 

DEATH  OF  THE  POSTMAN,    .... 

CAUGHT  IN  THE  ACT, 

IN  THE  NICK  OF  TIME, 

MOUNTAIN  DOVES  AND  LIZARDS, 

ARARA  KAKADU 

CRESTED  HAWK  PARROT 

HYACINTH  ARARA, 

THE  GORAL, 

PROUGHON  ANTELOPE, 

THE  NYLGHAU,     .      .      .      .... 

GOAT, 

THE  PANDA,    .      .      .      .      .      . 

IN  AMBUSH,       .      ....... 

AOUDAD, 

SACRED  OR  INDIAN  ANTELOPE,  . 

ELK,   .......... 

FALLOW  DEER, 

JUMBO,      .      .      .      ...      .      .      .      . 


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•  309 
3" 


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LIST    OF     ILLUSTRATIONS. 


MY  FAMOUS  WHITE  ELEPHANT, 
A  BATTLE  IN  THE  JUNGLE, 
HUGE  SPORT,     .      .      *      . 

AN  INTRUDER, 

"  ROYAL  SPORT,  INDEED,"   . 
BY  A  HAIR'S  BREADTH, 
"  BUT  IT  WAS  TOO  LATE,"    . 
"  HE  LAID  HIM  DOWN,"    . 

GOLDEN  TROGONS, 

THE  CRITICAL  MOMENT,    . 
THE  SATIN  BOWER  BIRD, 
THE  SOCIABLE  WEAVER  BIRD, 
PARADISE  WHIDAH,        .... 

THE  LYRE  BIRD, 

AFRICAN  BARBET, 

THE  HORNBILL, 

THE  TAILOR  BIRD,  .      .  •    .       . 

THE  OVEN  BIRD 

THE  STORMY  PETREL 

PANTHER, 

THE  LAUGHING  KINGFISHER, 

THE  DINORNIS, 

THE  BRUSH  TURKEY  OF  AUSTRALIA, 

THE  APTERYX, 

GREAT  BIRD  OF  PARADISE,  = 
THE  PELICAN,  f 


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421 

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427 
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433 
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436 


SCISSOR  BIRD, 436 

THE  EAGLE  Owi 437 

THE  EARED  GREBE, 438 

THE  ADJUTANT  BIRD, 439 

COMMON  OCTOPUS, 441 

INHABITANTS  OF  THE  DEEP,    ....  443 

HEAD  OF  THE  GORILLA, 445 

DISCOURAGED, 447 

CROCODILE  AND  YOUNG, 451 

"HE  JERKED  WITH  MIGHT  AND  MAIN,"  .     .  455 

THE  CHIMPANZEE, 456 

CHIMPANZEES, 457 

GORILLA, 459 

THE  CHIMPANZEE - .      .  460 

THE  CAPTURE, 463 

MIGHT  is  RIGHT, 464 

BONNET  MONKEYS, 465 

ELEPHANT  AND  RHINOCEROS 467 

CONTENTMENT 470 

BULKY  BATHERS, 471 

LEOPARDS, 476 

GORILLA, 478 

A  LITTLE  FURY,       .  479 

JUST  TOO  LATE, 483 

DICK, 485 

DICK  AND  His  PET, 487 


INTRODUCTION. 


living  man  has  ever  known,  and  none  will  ever  fully  know,  the  bosky  realms 
wnere  the  wild  beasts  live  and  roam  in  natural  freedom. 

But  they  wish  to  know.  There  is  no  more  fascinating  study,  and  the  sa- 
vant and  the  child  pursue  it  with  equal  pleasure.  In  the  menagerie  and  zoological 
garden,  wherever  "the  animals"  are,  there  may  be  found  a  crowd  of  those  who 
watch  and  study  the  captives  with  unfailing  interest. 

The  world  they  once  lived  in  is  a  realm  of  the  imagination ;  a  land  of  wild  glens, 
and  deep  thickets,  and  wide  sluggish  streams,  where  it  is  never  winter,  and  where 
man  is  only  an  intruder  and  was  never  owner  or  master.  Here  and  there  the  mind 
sees  the  palm-thatched  huts,  or  the  little  squalid  mud-built  villages  whose  inhabi- 
tants pass  each  night  in  half-waking  fear  of  the  tiger,  strong,  beautiful  and  treacher- 
ous, whose  padded  feet  give  no  sound  when  he  comes  to  select  his  victim.  One 
watches  the  spotted  leopard  as  he  walks  back  and  forth  in  his  cage,  and  tries 
to  picture  him  as  he  lay  prone  on  the  branch  of  a  roadside  tree,  his  yellow  eyes 
gleaming  as  he  waits  for  the  unsuspecting  traveler  to  pass  beneath. 

And  as  the  lion  looks  out  upon  the  crowd  one  recalls  the  tales  of  Livingston,  the 
devoted  missionary,  who  has  told  us  how  he  felt  when  those  strong  jaws  closed  in 
his  shoulder.  And  one  remembers  Speke,  and  Grant,  and  Du  Chaillu,  and  Stanley, 
and  with  what  eagerness  he  read  the  stories  of  their  travels  in  the  great  Dark  Con- 
tinent whose  interior  is  even  yet  unknown  to  civilized  mankind.  The  elands,  and 
gnus,  and  zebras,  which  once  sped  across  the  African  plains  one  sees  before  him,  and 
he  wonders  if  they  can  have  entirely  forgotten  all  that  he  would  so  much  like  to 
know. 

And  the  huge  elephant  stands  there,  chained  by  his  hinder  foot,  his  small  eyes 
scanning  the  passing  crowd,  and  his  wonderful  finger-pointed  proboscis  extended  as 
far  as  it  will  reach  for  a  single  peanut.  The  creature  seems  too  huge  and  strong 
to  have  been  captured  by  puny  man.  He  has  a  \vonderful  history  which  he  prob- 
ably remembers;  a  history  which  he  cannot  tell,  and  which  we  will  never  fully  know. 
Once  the  night  of  the  jungle  was  around  him,  and  the  feathery  palm  was  above  his 
huge  head,  and  he  went  to  a  stream  to  drink  and  bathe  where  the  huge  and  thick- 
skinned  rhinoceros  quarrelled  with  him  and  was  defeated.  He  was  the  master,  and 
we  long  to  know  how  he  met  the  hunter  and  was  defeated,  conquered  and  enslaved. 

The  interest  dwells  largely  with  the  greatest,  but  there  are  smaller  though  not 
less  interesting  animals  on  every  hand.  They  also  are  the  spoil  of  the  hunter  for 


INTRODUCTION. 

the  entertainment  of  the  public;  for  the  gratification  of  the  natural  and  intense  in- 
terest which  is  felt  alike  by  both  sexes  and  all  ages,  and  equally  by  the  child  and 
the  scholar. 

To  gratify  this  taste  immense  sums  have  been  expended  in  the  establishment  of 
those  free  exhibitions  of  animals  which  are  called  zoological  gardens.  Every  en- 
lightened country  has  them,  and  they  are  deemed  indispensable  to  the  amusement 
and  instruction  of  the  people.  Notable  instances  are  found  in  the  famous  "  Zoo" 
of  London;  in  a  similar  one  at  Berlin;  in  one  at  Paris,  France;  in  that  corner  of  Cen- 
tral Park,  New  York,  which  is  rarely  without  an  interested  crowd;  in  Lincoln  Park, 
Chicago;  and  in  the  traveling  menageries  of  the  United  States,  some  of  which  have 
in  recent  years  grown  into  colossal  proportions  like  that  which  Mr.  Barnum  gath- 
ered before  his  death,  and  carried  from  place  to  place  by  means  of  the  unequaled 
transportation  facilities  of  modern  times. 

All  these  beasts  and  birds  and  reptiles  are  cared  for  by  men  who  understand 
them.  All  the  peculiar  traits  and  appetites  they  possess,  all  unknown  to  the  animals 
native  to  our  zone,  are  understood.  When  winter  comes  they  are  housed  in  an  at- 
mosphere as  warm  as  that  in  which  they  were  born.  But  even  the  most  expensive 
and  skillful  care  does  not  save  them,  they  continually  die  and  are  continually  re- 
placed, and  the  supply  does  not  noticeably  diminish. 

It  follows,  then,  that  they  must  be  continually  caught  anew.  Where  do  they 
come  from  ?  How  are  they  taken  ?  These  are  the  questions  that  are  rarely  answered. 
Wild,  fierce,  treacherous,  exceedingly  strong,  most  of  them  members  of  the  cat  family 
and  practically  untamable,  the  adventures  and  experiences  of  those  who  capture 
them  in  their  fastnesses  must  be  among  the  most  remarkable  that  can  be  told. 

Such  adventures  are  described  in  the  following  pages.  They  are  often  startling, 
but  they  contain  within  themselves  the  evidences  of  substantial  truth.  The  stories 
of  wanderings  in  strange  lands  are  always  interesting.  When  such  wanderings  in- 
clude days  of  watching  and  nights  of  peril;  the  tracking  of  the  beast  to  his  lair  in 
the  jungle,  and  the  placing  of  human  nerve  and  cunning  against  animal  instinct, 
activity  and  enormous  strength;  then  the  story  is  captivating. 

Without  question  such  an  one  is  here  told.  The  most  acute  naturalist  will  fail 
to  find  an  error  in  statement  in  regard  to  any  wild  animal  mentioned.  The  writer 
knew  them  as  a  man  knows  his  friends.  An  immense  sum  of  information  is  em- 
bodied in  the  form  of  hunter's  tales,  and  it  finally  remains  to  be  added  that  the 
characters  are  real,  that  the  journeys  were  actually  made,  and  that  thousands  of  per- 
sons in  the  United  States  have  seen  the  very  animals  whose  capture  is  described. 


young  friend  Bob  Marshall  was  picking  his 
way  through  the  South  African  jungle,  when 
he  paused  to  look  upon  a  striking  but  charac- 
teristic scene. 

A  beautiful  leopard  had  run  a  short  distance 
up  the  sloping  trunk  of  a  fallen  tree,  and  then, 
turning  about  on  a  large  projecting  limb,  faced  a  pack  of  hyenas  that  were  eager  to 
attack  him,  but  afraid  to  do  so.  One  rash  fellow  ventured  nigh  enough  to  receive 
a  cuff  from  the  defender's  paw  which  knocked  him  a  dozen  feet  away  and  caused 
him  to  keep  a  safe  distance  thereafter,  while  the  others  were  equally  careful  to 
avoid  those  sharp  claws  and  teeth. 


EAGER  TO  ATTACK  BUT  AFRAID. —  Page  n. 


DANGEROUS    GAME.  13 

Bob  was  inclined  to  raise  his  Winchester  and  fire  upon  the  cowardly  assailants, 
but  he  finally  moved  off  without  doing  so. 

"  The  leopard  wouldn't  appreciate  my  interference,"  was  the  thought  of  the 
youth,  "and  I  don't  believe  he  needs  it  anyway." 

Bob  was  on  his  way  back  to  camp,  as  the  sultry  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and 
he  kept  a  close  watch  for  danger. 

"  I  can't  see  anything,"  he  said  to  himself,  holding  his  rifle  ready  for  instant  use, 
"  but  I  have  been  in  the  Dark  Continent  long  enough  to  know  that  that  is  no  proof 
I  am  not  in  peril." 

The  listening  ear  caught  the  sounds  of  the  myriad  birds  flitting  among 
the  exuberant  branches  overhead,  and  now  and  then  the  deep,  resonant  roar 
of  some  animal  warned  him  that  he  was  liable  at  any  moment  to  be  brought 
face  to  face  with  some  of  the  fierce  denizens  of  the  wilds,  always  eager  to  fly 
at  any  intruder. 

It  was  the  growing  conviction  that  something  was  stealthily  following  him  which 
tried  the  nerves  of  Bob  Marshall,  for  it  is  the  unseen  that  tests  one's  bravery,  since 
so  long  as  it  remains  unseen  it  is  unknown,  and  imagination  gives  it  a  form  and 
substance  ten-fold  more  fearful  than  reality. 

He  was  sure  that  the  limbs  in  the  immediate  vicinity  contained  no  hideous 
python  or  boa-constrictor,  for  those  reptiles  must  of  necessity  wind  themselves 
around  the  trunk  or  branches  of  a  tree,  where  the  quick  eye  of  the  hunter  readily 
detects  them.  And  Bob  was  equally  positive  there  was  none  of  those  frightful 
serpents  approaching  him  through  the  jungle,  for  his  hearing,  trained  to  marvelous 
nicety,  was  sure  to  catch  the  soft  rustling  that  invariably  betraysthe  approach  of  a 
large  snake. 

"  It  must  be  some  beast  crouching  so  flat  on  a  branch  that  his  body  is  entirely 
hidden  —  helloa  !  there  he  is,  sure  enough  !  " 

Barely  thirty  feet  above  the  head  of  the  youth,  an  immense  limb  put  forth  from 
a  tree  whose  trunk  was  no  more  than  a  rod  from  where  he  stood.  The  diameter  of 
the  branch  was  sufficient  to  hide  the  body  of  a  large  animal,  when  stretched  along 
its  length,  and  such  concealment  it  did  afford  to  a  brute  whose  ears,  glowing  eye- 
balls and  open  mouth  protruded  just  far  enough  over  the  support  to  enable  the 
young  hunter  to  identify  him  as  an  enormous  leopard. 

So  skillfully  had  the  beast  disposed  himself  on  the  limb  that  more  than  likely  Bob 
would  not  have  detected  him,  but  for  the  low,  threatening  growl  which  he  emitted. 

Had  the  leopard  held  his  peace  and  kept  his  head  lowered,  the  youth  would  have 
walked  directly  beneath  him,  giving  the  treacherous  animal  a  chance  to  bound 
down  upon  his  shoulders  with  the  irresistibility  of  a  thunderbolt.  But  the  leopard 
did  not  know  enough  to  take  that  precaution. 

His  species,  however,  is  among  the  most  cunning  of  the  animal  kingdom,  and, 
though  it  is  probable  that  this  specimen  was  now  brought  face  to  face  with  a  Cau- 
casian for  the  first  time,  he  had  sufficient  subtlety  to  keep  himself  well  shielded  by 
the  solid  branch  along  which  he  was  extended. 


DANGEROUS    GAME.  15 

"  I  think  there  is  enough  of  your  head  in  sight  to  make  a  pretty  fair  target," 
muttered  Bob,  bringing  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder  and  sighting  at  the  skull. 

The  distance  was  so  short  that  there  was  hardly  an  excuse  for  missing,  and  yet 
that  is  just  what  Bob  Marshall  did  do,  though  we  can  hardly  censure  him  because 
of  the  failure. 

By  one  of  those  rare  coincidences  that  occasionally  take  place,  the  leopard, 
from  some  cause,  which  cannot  be  explained,  ducked  his  head  almost  at  the  instant 
the  weapon  was  discharged,  the  bullet  cutting  its  way  through  the  dense  vegetation 
beyond  and  above  the  limb. 

Keeping  his  weapon  elevated,  Bob  instantly  shoved  another  cartridge  into  place, 
and,  as  the  threatening  head  rose  to  sight,  he  let  fly  three  times  in  quick  succession. 

Bob  did  not  score  a  "  bull's  eye"  each  time,  but  all  the  same,  he  hit  the  leopard, 
the  balls  ploughing  their  way  through  the  outer  portions  of  his  head,  and  inflicting 
wounds  which  roused  him  to  fury. 

Confident  that  he  had  killed  the  beast,  Bob  lowered  his  gun  and  looked  to  see 
him  fall.  The  leopard  came  down,  but  not  as  the  youth  expected. 

Instead  of  tumbling  from  his  perch,  limp  and  lifeless,  he  emitted  a  snarling 
screech,  and  sprang  from  the  limb  straight  at  the  astounded  youth,  who  was  almost 
paralyzed  by  the  sight  of  the  terrible  head,  streaked  with  blood,  the  ears  lying  flat 
and  the  jaws  extended  to  their  widest  extent.  The  sharp,  carnivorous  ^teeth  and 
needle-like  claws  were  eager  to  rend  the  lad  to  shreds. 

Had  Bob  Marshall  stood  motionless  in  his  footsteps,  nothing  could  have  saved 
him,  but,  in  obedience  to  what  may  be  termed  instinct  rather  than  reason,  he  sprang 
back  several  feet,  just  as  the  leopard  dropped  lightly  to  the  ground,  and,  crouching 
low,  gathered  his  muscles  for  a  second  leap  that  was  to  land  him  on  the  shoulders 
of  the  youth. 

It  occurred  to  Bob  that  no  more  appropriate  moment  for  shooting  off  a  gun 
could  be  thought  of,  and  I  need  not  tell  you  that  he  was  not  long  in  acting  upon 
this  decision.  The  style  in  which  he  began  pumping  Winchester  balls  into  the 
snarling  leopard  was  enough  to  stampede  a  drove  of  elephants. 

But  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  the  recipient  of  this  bombardment  remained 
quiescent.  Hardly  had  Bob  pulled  trigger,  after  the  beast  landed  on  the  ground, 
when  the  dreaded  leap  was  made. 

It  was  a  moment  of  such  fearful  excitement  that  it  was  impossible  for  the  lad 
to  make  his  aim  as  unerring  as  it  would  have  been  had  the  animal  remained  sta> 
tionary  for  a  second  or  two.  Almost  before  he  was  aware,  the  leopard  bounded  at 
him  with  a  ferocity  that  can  exist  only  when  the  fiercest  of  wild  beasts  is  in  his 
death-throes. 

Bob  had  no  time  to  recoil  as  he  did  in  the  first  instance,  but  with  admirable 
presence  of  mind,  and  with  inimitable  dexterity,  he  dropped  to  a  crouching  posture 
and  darted  a  single  step  forward.  As  a  consequence,  the  leopard  went  clean  over 
him.  Bob  wheeled  and  again  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder;  in  fact,  hunter  and 
beast  had  exchanged  positions. 


i6 


DANGEROUS    GAME. 


The  leopard  must  be  kept  off  for  a  moment,  for  if  those  frightful  claws  were  given 
but  a  single  chance,  they  would  play  mortal  havoc  with  the  handsome  face  and  ath- 
letic frame  of  the  youth. 

Three  shots  still  remained  in  the  magazine  of  the  Winchester,  and  no  three  cart- 
ridges were  ever  discharged  with  more  celerity.  Every  one,  too,  found  a  lodgment 
in  the  body  of  the  beast,  and  they  settled  the  business. 

Deprived  of  the  power  of  assault,  and  mortally  wounded  in  half  a  dozen  places, 
the  brute  rolled  upon  his  back,  with  a  rasping  snarl,  his  claws  beating  the  air  like 
lightning  for  a  few  seconds,  and  then  he  became  still  and  motionless. 


LEOPARD. 

With  the  coolness  of  Gordon  Gumming  himself,  Bob  Marshall  stood  aside  and 
calmly  surveyed  his  game,  after  all  semblance  of  life  had  departed. 

"That's  the  biggest  leopard  I  ever  saw,"  said  he,  "though  Mr.  Godkin  tells  me 
that  he  has  seen  larger  in  India,  the  home  of  the  tiger.  The  usual  length  of  the 
animal  is  four  feet,  with  its  tail  a  little  more  than  half  as  much,  but  this  fellow  is 
fully  five  feet  long,  and  he  would  have  been  a  terrible  foe  if  I  had  allowed  him  to 
close  in  with  me." 

I  am  quite  sure  all  my  readers  have  seen  specimens  of  the  leopard,  which,  like 
the  cat,  belongs  to  the  Felts  species.  You  have  admired  his  rich,  yellowish  fawn 


DANGEROUS    GAME.  17 

color,  paler  on  the  sides  and  losing  itself  in  the  pure  white  of  the  belly.  He  is  cov- 
ered with  numerous  annular  or  oval  black  spots,  the  sides  and  part  of  the  tail 
showing  distinct  roses,  made  by  the  near  approach  of  three  or  four  elongated  small 
dark  spots,  which  surround  a  central  area,  an  inch  in  breadth,  somewhat  deeper  in 
color  than  the  ground  on  which  it  is  placed.  You  may  have  noticed,  too,  that  there 
are  a  few  black  lines  on  the  lips,  and  bands  of  the  same  color  on  the  insides  of  the 
legs. 

The  leopard  is  one  of  the  most  skillful  climbers,  and  few  animals  can  escape  him 
by  taking  refuge  among  the  tree  branches.  When  wounded,  he  is  a  demon,  and 
hundreds  of  people  are  annually  slain  by  the  species  in  India  and  Africa. 

"  I  wonder  how  the  rest  have  made  out,"  muttered  Bob  Marshall,  referring  to 
his  friends;  "  I  have  heard  the  reports  of  their  guns  more  than  once,  and  I  suppose 
they  have  brought  down  something,  but  I  don't  believe  there  has  been  anything 
shot  finer  than  this." 

The  youth  noticed  that  the  afternoon  was  wearing  away,  and,  as  he  was  a  con- 
siderable distance  from  camp,  he  decided  to  set  out  on  his  return  without  delay. 
He  looked  longingly  at  the  huge  body,  and,  when  he  reflected  what  a  handsome 
trophy  the  skin  would  make,  naturally  regretted  leaving  it  behind. 

"  I  promised  to  send  Mr.  Barnum  something  of  the  kind,"  he  said,  as  he  was  on 
the  point  of  turning  away,  "  though  I  know  he  has  more  such  presents  than  he 
knows  what  to  do  with,  but  I  can't  afford  the  time  to  skin  him,  and  it  may  be  that 
Mr.  Godkin  or  Dick  or  some  of  the  rest  will  bag  something  better." 

And  with  this  philosophical  reflection,  Mr.  Robert  Marshall  slung  his  Winches- 
ter over  his  shoulder  and  set  off  for  the  encampment  of  his  friends. 

A  goodly  distance  remained  to  be  passed,  and,  since  night  was  approaching,  he 
thought  it  likely  he  would  encounter  more  game  before  joining  his  companions. 

This  expectation  received  a  startling  confirmation  within  the  succeeding  quar- 
ter of  an  hour. 


CHAPTER  II. 


A  WEAPON  OF  NATURE. 

As  NEARLY  as  Bob  Marshall 
could  recall,  he  had  to  make  his 
way  for  about  a  mile,  in  order  to 
reach  the  camp  where  all  mem- 
bers of  the  hunting  party  ex- 
pected to  pass  the  night.  Or- 
dinarily the  task  of  traveling  this 
would  not  be  worth  mentioning, 
but  a  portion  of  it  led  through 
the  jungle,  and  he  was  obliged 
to  make  quite  a  circuit  to  avoid 
those  exasperating  thorny  shrubs 
which  travelers  have  named 
"wait-a-bit"  bushes,  and  he 
knew  that  in  that  tropical  coun- 
try, where  the  twilight  is  so  short,  darkness  was  likely  to 
descend  before  he  could  join  his  friends. 

Not  far  from   the   spot  where  he  shot   the  leopard  it 
was  necessary  to  cross  a  deep  stream,  too  broad  for  him  to 
leap,  but  it  was  bridged 
by  a  fallen  tree,  which  he 
had  used  on  his  way  into 

the  jungle  and  which,  of  course,  he  expected 
to  utilize  on  his  return. 

A  less  experienced  hunter  than  Bob 
would  have  been  almost  certain  to  lose  him- 
self, because  of  the  man/  changes  in  his 
course,  but  with  the  aid  of  the  little  com- 
pass which  he  wore  as  a  watch  charm,  and 
by  keeping  his  bearings  in  mind,  he  was 
generally  able  to  avoid  the  dangerous  blunder 
of  going  astray. 

There  was  the  stream,  whose  waters  looked 
of  inky  blackness,  which  he  came  upon    at 
the   very  moment    he   expected,    and   he   had   but  a  little   way  to    go,  when  he 
caught  sight  of  the  fallen  tree  that  had  served  him  so  well  on  his  tramp  thither. 

18 


A    WEAPON    OF    NATURE.  ig 

"  If  nothing  unexpected  happens,  I  shall  not  be  the  last  one  to  reach  camp,"  he 
reflected,  as  he  placed  his  foot  on  the  trunk  and  began  picking  his  way  across,  with- 
out paying  heed  to  a  sluggish  snake  twisting  among  some  rotten  sticks  on  the  edge 
of  the  stream  near  by. 

The  base  of  the  tree  was  several  feet  beyond  the  edge  of  the  opposite  shore, 
while  the  branches  projected  fully  a  rod  behind  where  Bob  began  crossing,  that 
part  of  the  trunk  which  he  used  as  a  bridge  being  free  from  limbs. 


LEOPARD. 

The  youth  had  passed  about  one-third  of  the  distance,  with  no  thought 
of  molestation,  when,  to  his  amazement,  a  leopardess  issued  from  the  un- 
dergrowth, and  stepping  upon  the  larger  portion  of  the  trunk,  advanced  to 
meet  him. 

This  was  a  surprise  indeed,  and  Bob  stopped,  in  doubt  for  the  instant  what  was 
the  best  thing  to  do.  It  flashed  on  him  at  once  that  this  was  the  mate  of  the  leopard 
he  had  shot,  and  whether  she  had  learned  the  truth  or  not,  it  was  manifest  from  her 
action  that  she  was  in  a  fighting  mood.  Indeed,  the  fierceness  displayed  by  the  two 
animals  was  exceptional,  for,  as  a  rule,  leopards  are  not  likely  to  disturb  a  man  unless 
he  first  molests  them. 


2O  A   WEAPON    OF    NATURE. 

The  female  advanced  with  the  slow,  cautious  movement  of  her  species,  her  head 
held  low  between  her  shoulders,  which  lumped  up  in  a  peculiar  way  as  she  walked, 
her  jaws  slightly  parted,  her  eyes  fixed  upon  the  youth,  while  an  occasional  growl 
and  her  whole  demeanor  proved  that  she  did  not  mean  to  give  the  road  to  him  who 
stood  in  her  way. 

Bob  saw  the  decayed  bark  of  the  tree  crumble  and  break  under  the  sharp  claws 
that  pierced  it,  as  she  approached,  and  none  knew  better  than  he  what  the  result 
would  be  of  a  hand-to-hand  encounter  with  such  a  ferocious  foe. 

But  what  cause  had  he  to  fear  with  his  formidable  Winchester,  which  he 
knew  so  well  how  to  handle  ?  A  minute  or  two  must  pass  before  the  brute  could 
approach  nigh  enough  to  attack  and  that  gave  him  abundant  time  in  which  to  aim 
and  fire. 

The  plan  of  turning  to  flee  never  once  entered  his  mind,  for  such  a  course,  in  the 
presence  of  a  wild  animal,  inevitably  hastens  its  assault. 

With  that  coolness  which  was  one  of  the  lad's  most  remarkable  traits,  he 
brought  his  rifle  to  a  level,  and  was  taking  aim  at  a  point  midway  between  the 
glaring  eyes,  when  he  recalled  that  the  magazine  of  his  gun  did  not  contain  a  single 
cartridge ! 

Bob  had  disregarded  the  fundamental  rule  of  the  hunter,  which  is,  after 
discharging  his  gun,  instantly  to  reload,  so  as  to  be  ready  for  any  emergency. 

True,  the  task  of  preparing  his  breech-loader  was  so  slight  that  this  rule  lost 
half  its  force,  when  the  modern  weapon  was  compared  with  the  muzzle-loader  of 
our  fathers'  days,  but  the  youth  felt  he  had  no  time  in  which  to  get  his  favorite 
weapon  ready  for  the  charge  of  the  beast. 

He  was  the  owner  of  a  fine,  five-chambered  Colt's  revolver,  thrust  in  his  hip 
pocket,  not  to  mention  the  knife  at  his  waist;  but  he  might  well  distrust  the  effect- 
iveness of  those  weapons  after  his  experience  with  the  male  leopard. 

It  was  useless  to  regret  his  thoughtlessnesn,  for  at  the  moment  he  recalled  it,  it 
may  be  said  the  peril  was  upon  him.  He  had  not  time  to  prepare  his  gun,  nor  did 
he  wish  to  appeal  to  the  revolver,  though  he  hastily  drew  it,  meaning  to  empty 
every  chamber  into  the  front  of  the  leopardess,  before  she  could  fasten  her  claws 
upon  him. 

At  such  times  a  person  thinks  fast.  Bob  was  handicapped  by  his  position  on 
the  tree,  and  wished  so  strongly  for  more  space  in  which  to  maneuver,  that  he 
began  moving  backward,  trying  to  do  so  with  such  deliberation  that  his  foe  would 
not  notice  it. 

But  this  was  extremely  difficult,  as  you  can  readily  understand,  because  of  the 
straitness  of  his  support.  It  was  necessary  to  step  with  the  utmost  care,  and  since 
he  was  not  a  trapeze  performer,  he  found  himself  unable  to  retrograde,  keeping  his 
eyes  on  the  beast  at  the  same  time,  without  imminent  danger  of  being  precipitated 
into  the  deep  waters  beneath. 

At  this  moment,  when  it  may  be  said  matters  had  reached  a  crisis,  a  discovery 
flashed  upon  Bob  with  the  suddenness  of  inspiration. 


A   WEAPON   OF    NATURE.  21 

The  leopardess  looked  up  in  his  face,  two  or  three  times,  with  her  body  seem- 
ingly flattened  along  the  log,  and  then  darted  her  gaze  away,  as  a  child  will  do 
when  it  unexpectedly  glances  at  the  sun. 

"  I'll  try  it,"  thought  the  youth;  "  strange  that  I  didn't  think  of  it  before  ! " 

Bob  now  stood  stationary  on  the  log,  but  crouched  in  the  attitude  of  a  leaper, 
preparing  for  a  standing  jump.  He  stooped  so  low  and  his  head  was  thrust  so  far 
forward,  that,  had  you  seen  him,  you  would  have  felt  sure  (though  wondering  much 
thereat)  that  he  was  about  to  spring  upon  the  head  of  the  leopardess. 

But  I  need  not  tell  you  that  the  wise  youth  never  dreamed  of  throwing  away  his 
life  in  any  such  fashion  as  that. 

What,  then,  was  he  seeking  to  do  ? 

Assuming  the  fiercest  expression  at  his  command,  he  stared  straight  into  the 
eyes  of  the  beast.  The  latter  met  his  gaze  for  an  instant,  as  though  she  expected 
to  look  him  out  of  countenance,  but  she  was  unequal  to  the  test. 

She  kept  up  her  snarling,  while  her  extended  claws  showed  a  peculiar  nervous 
twitching,  the  nails  causing  the  crumbling  bark  to  fall  fast  into  the  water,  while  she 
cast  furtive  glances  at  the  rigid  youth  who  seemed  determined  to  look  her  through 
and  through. 

Again  and  again  she  looked  at  him,  only  to  dart  her  eyes  aside  as  if  in  actual 
fear,  but  she  not  only  refused  to  retreat,  but  continued  slowly  advancing  upon  her 
enemy. 

There  could  be  no  question  that  the  female  was  clear  grit. 

Fully  comprehending  the  situation,  Bob  Marshall  now  called  into  play  his  last 
resource. 

With  his  head  thrust  forward,  his  rifle  grasped  in  his  left  hand  and  his  Colt  in 
his  right,  he  raised  one  foot  and  set  it  down  several  inches  further  along  the  log,  his 
purpose  being  to  give  the  step  as  much  significance  as  possible. 

It  looked,  for  all  the  world,  as  if  he  had  resolved  to  become  the  aggressor  and 
assail  the  leopardess,  instead  of  waiting  for  her  to  attack  him. 

Had  he  removed  his  glance  but  for  a  moment,  while  taking  this  bold  step,  the 
brute  would  have  bounded  forward  and  fastened  teeth  and  claws  in  him,  for  beyond 
a  doubt  she  was  fully  as  courageous  as  her  mate. 

Such  evidently  was  her  intention,  when,  with  a  sharper  growl  than  before,  she 
partly  rose  to  her  feet  and  glanced  at  that  terrible  human  countenance  now  so  close 
to  her  own. 

The  battery  of  those  burning  eyes  was  more  than  she  could  stand,  and  turning 
nimbly  on  the  log,  she  made  a  tremendous  bound,  which  carried  her  back  to  the 
side  from  which  she  started. 

Instead  of  running  away,  however,  she  crouched  in  the  thin,  tall  grass  near  the 
trunk,  with  the  evident  intention  of  awaiting  the  advance  of  the  young  hunter,  when 
she  would  try  it  again. 

You  will  remember  that  night  was  closing  in,  darkness  having  actually  begun, 
and,  while  there  is  no  animal  known  that  can  be  so  easily  subdued  by  the  human 


22  A    WEAPON    OF    NATURE. 

eye  as  the  leopard  (especially  the  cheetah  or  hunting  leopard),  yet  nothing  is  mor» 
evident  than  that  the  strange  power  cannot  be  exerted  in  gloom  or  darkness. 

"I  see  you  mean  that  I  shall  not  use  the  log  for  a  footbridge,"  said  Bob  Marshall, 
straightening  up,  "while  I'm  determined  that  I  shall,  and  since  I  forgot  to  reload 
my  gun,  now  is  a  good  time  to  do  so." 

And  balancing  himself  carefully  on  his  narrow  support,  he  took  nine  cartridges 
from  his  belt  and  placed  them  in  the  magazine.  Then,  bringing  his  weapon  to  his 
shoulder,  he  sighted  at  the  velvety  front  of  the  beast  just  below  her  head,  and  drove 
three  shells  into  the  fatally  weak  spot  with  a  quickness  that  could  not  have  been 
surpassed. 

They  were  more  than  enough. 

The  leopardess  bounded  several  feet  straight  up  in  the  air,  just  as  if  thrown  by  a 
powerful  spring-board,  making  a  complete  somersault,  or  rather  half  a  somersault, 
for  she  fell  on  her  back,  dead,  almost  as  soon  as  she  struck  the  earth. 

"That  teaches  you  that  it's  risky  business  to  dispute  the  way  with  a  young 
American  gentleman  when  he  has  the  latest  pattern  of  the  Winchester  at  command. 
The  lesson  comes  too  late  to  do  you  any  good,  but  it  couldn't  have  been  better  timed 
to  suit  me,  and  if  some  of  your  surviving  kindred  will  read  aright  the  moral  of  what 
they  discover,  it  may  serve  them  well." 

As  if  to  make  amends  for  his  former  forgetfulness,  Bob  thrust  three  more  cart- 
ridges in  the  magazine  of  his  gun,  so  that  as  he  moved  across  the  stream,  and  stepped 
ashore  on  the  same  side  with  the  carcass  of  the  leopardess,  his  weapon  was  fully 
charged. 


HOW  CURIOSITIES  FOR  THE 
GREATEST  SHOW  ON  EARTH 
ARE  CAPTURED. 

"  HELLOA,  Bob !  where  are 
you?" 

"I  will  be  with  you  in  a 
minute." 

Bob  Marshall  recognized 
the  call  as  that  of  his  cousin, 
Dick  Brownell,  who,  like  sev- 
eral other  members  of  the 
hunting  party,  was  out  alone 
for  game.  The  youths,  who 
were  about  the  same  age,  were 
not  far  apart,  and,  a  few  min- 
utes later,  they  met  in  th» 
gloom  of  the  gathering  night- 
Bob  quickly  related  his  ad- 
venture with  the  two  leopards. 

"That's  lucky,"  said  his 
friend,  "for  I  am  interested 
in  them,  or  rather  I  was  be- 
fore they  were  shot." 

"  How  is  that  ?  " 

"The  two  kittens  of  the 
mother  are  tumbling  about  in 


HOW   CURIOSITIES   AKw   CAPTURED. 


the  grass  by  a  rock  just  off  yonder,  and  I've  been  waiting  two  hours  \o  get  «* 
chance  to  shoot  the  parents  before  making  off  with  the  youngsters." 

The  reader  will  readily  understand  the  methods  by  which  the  professional 
hunters  secure  most  of  the  wild  animals  for  the  menageries.  They  have  sent  some 
of  the  most  experienced  sportsmen  living,  into  the  heart  of  the  least  known  and 
most  inaccessible  regions  of  the  globe,  where  they  have  been  lost  to  their  own  kind 
for  months.  Sometimes,  sad  to  say,  they  are  lost  forever. 

Two  of  the  best  hunters  ever  known  penetrated  the  dismal  wilderness  of  interior 
Australia,  mainly  in 
quest  of  the  kanga- 
roo, which  is  found 
there  or  in  the  neigh- 
boring islands.  This 
was    more    than 
twelve   years  ago, 
since     which     time 
nothing    has     been 
heard  of  them,  and 
there  is  little  doubt 
that  they  fell  victims 
to  the  many  dan- 
gers that  proved 
fatal    to    scores 
of  explorers  be- 
fore them. 


SHIPS  OF  THE  DESERT. 

Parties  have  gone  into  the  mountains  and  table  lands  of  Thibet,  and  hardly  a 
year  has  passed  for  a  generation  that  a  company  has  not  departed  from  Suakem 
or  Massowah  for  the  more  salubrious  climate  of  interior  Abyssinia.  These  hunters 
always  use  camels,  for  it  is  impossible  to  employ  any  other  means  of  conveyance. 

The  young  that  are  captured  are  brought  back  on  these  "  ships  of  the  desert." 
Many  of  you  remember  the  young  hippopotamus  which  was  on  exhibition  some 
years  ago.  It  was  secured  in  the  Upper  Nile  region  and  carried  all  the  way  to 
Suakem,  on  the  African  coast  of  the  Red  Sea,  suspended  in  a  hammock  between 


HOW    CURIOSITIES    ARE    CAPTURED.  25 

two  camels,  the  weight  of  the  young  monster  being  too  much  for  a  single  beast  of 
burden. 

Many  fine  hunters  have  gone  to  India,  where  many  of  the  fiercest  animals  abound 
(and  which  is  the  home  of  the  royal  Bengal  tiger,  the  most  fearful  of  all  creatures), 
not  to  mention  Ceylon,  Farther  India  and  many  other  portions  of  the  earth. 

Africa,  however,  is  the  great  source  of  supply,  and  many  a  hundred  thousand 
dollars  of  capital  has  gone  to  the  Dark  Continent,  that  it  might  bring  you  curi- 
osities that  are  interesting,  entertaining  and  instructive.  There  are  now  agencies  at 
Port  Natal,  Cape  Town,  on  the  gold  Coast,  at  Cairo  and  other  points,  and  the  pages 
of  this  book  give  the  history  of  the  most  famous  expedition  ever  sent  into  Southern 
and  Central  Africa,  India,  or  indeed  into  any  part  of  the  world.  The  story  will  be 
told  further  on. 

One  simple  rule  governs  the  hunters  who  are  in  quest  of  wild  animals.  You  can 
understand  that  it  is  impossible  in  most  cases  to  capture  the  full  grown  tiger,  leop- 
ard, giraffe,  ostrich,  lion,  and  indeed  any  large  quadruped  except,  perhaps,  the 
elephant,  which  can  be  readily  brought  under  subjection.  Most  of  these  beasts,  in 
their  savage  state,  will  fight  to  the  death  before  yielding.  At  any  rate,  the  difficulty 
of  securing  them  shuts  out  most  attempts  to  do  so. 

The  rule  of  the  hunters,  therefore,  is  to  seek  the  place  where  the  young  are 
receiving  the  attention  of  the  mother,  and  then,  lying  in  wait,  shoot  her,  and  quite 
often  the  father,  too,  when  he  is  in  the  neighborhood. 

The  parents  being  disposed  of,  the  helpless  offspring  are  taken  from  their  quar- 
ters, carefully  looked  after,  and  sent  to  the  sea  coast,  where  they  are  kept  until  strong 
enough  to  be  shipped  across  the  sea  to  England  and  thence  to  this  country. 

Now,  you  will  see  that  Bob  Marshall,  when  he  shot  the  two  leopards,  to  use  a 
common  expression,  builded  better  than  he  knew.  Beyond  a  doubt,  they  were  the 
parents  of  the  kittens  of  which  his  cousin  spoke,  and  the  way  was  thereby  opened 
to  carry  off  the  valuable  young. 

That  was  what  the  two  youths  and  their  companions  were  in  Africa  for,  and 
they  lost  no  time  in  following  instructions.  Dick  Brov/nell  led  the  way  through 
the  tall  grass  to  an  immense  rock,  at  the  base  of  which  was  a  cavity  partly  filled 
with  dead  vegetation,  arranged  with  some  system  by  the  mother  of  the  leopards. 

Enough  light  remained  for  the  cousins  to  observe  two  forms,  resembling  chunky 
dogs,  nosing  around  in  the  grass,  emitting  strange  mewing  sounds,  as  they  vainly 
groped  for  their  mother.  They  were  hungry  and  could  not  understand  why  their 
usual  supper  was  denied  them. 

"  That's  a  piece  of  good  luck,"  said  Bob,  stooping  down  and  griping  one  of  the 
kittens  by  the  loose  skin  at  the  back  of  the  neck,  which,  as  you  know,  is  the  spot 
where  the  Felts  species  seizes  their  young  when  they  wish  to  carry  them  any  distance. 

Dick  Brownell  did  the  same  with  the  other  kitten,  which  was  a  solid  fellow 
indeed.  The  baby  leopards  were  quick  to  learn  that  it  was  not  their  mother  that 
Was  handling  them,  and  they  began  fighting  with  a  vigor  which  gave  a  vivid  idea 
of  what  they  would  be  able  to  do  a  few  months  later. 


26  HOW    CURIOSITIES    ARE    CAPTURED. 

However,  they  were  too  infantile  to  cause  much  harm,  and  soon  ceased  their 
struggles. 

When  one  of  the  cat  kind  is  obliged  to  carry  its  young  an  unusual  distance,  it 
frequently  sets  it  down  for  a  few  minutes  on  the  way.  I  suppose  this  is  not  for  the 
purpose  of  resting  the  mother,  but  to  relieve  the  little  one  from  the  discomfort  of 
being  transported  for  a  long  time  by  the  neck.  How  much  better  the  arrangement 
if  the  parent  would  carry  its  young  on  her  back,  like  the  hippopotamus,  but  it  is 
not  for  me  to  find  fault  with  the  wonderful  provisions  of  nature. 

The  youths  grasped  the  little  leopards,  and  strode  off  rapidly  in  the  direction  of 
camp.  But  it  was  not  long  before  the  kittens  began  to  squirm  with  discomfort  and 
the  boys  set  them  on  the  ground. 

"  My  gracious  !  "  exclaimed  Bob,  "  that  youngster  is  heavier  than  I  thought ;  my 
fingers  and  arm  ache." 

"  So  do  mine ;  let's  try  another  plan,  for  it  seems  to  me  their  necks  must  feel 
uncomfortable." 

So  they  shoved  their  prizes  under  their  right  arms,  just  as  I  have  no  doubt  you 
have  done  when  trying  to  carry  a  large  watermelon,  which,  I  believe,  is  the  most 
awkward  thing  in  the  world  to  transport  in  that  fashion. 

Of  course  each  held  his  rifle  in  his  left  hand,  so  as  to  leave  his  other  free  to 
manage  his  prize,  and  they  soon  found  it  was  needed. 

The  young  leopards  ought  to  have  been  grateful  for  the  change,  but,  somehow 
or  other,  it  did  not  seem  natural,  and  they  twisted  about  with  a  vigor  that  was 
astonishing. 

"  Look  out !  there  goes  your  chap  !  "  called  Bob,  with  a  laugh,  to  his  cousin,  as 
he  noticed  the  youngster  wriggling  his  way  forward. 

Hardly  were  the  words  uttered  when  the  uneasy  captive  plumped  to  the  ground 
like  a  huge  doughnut  at  the  feet  of  Dick  Brownell,  despite  his  frantic  efforts  to 
check  the  fall. 

"  Confound  him  !  why  don't  he  know  when  he  is  well  off  and  keep  still  ?  "  mut- 
tered Dick,  stooping  down  to  recapture  the  fellow. 

Bob  Marshall  broke  into  merry  laughter. 

"  If  I  couldn't  manage  a  baby  leopard  I'd  give  up  all  pretension  of  being  a 
hunter —  OAGH  ! " 

Bob  was  so  interested  in  the  dilemma  of  his  companion  that  he  failed  to  give 
proper  attention  to  his  own  prize,  which,  instead  of  working  to  the  front,  shoved  back- 
ward with  such  deftness  that  it  slipped  from  the  lad's  grasp  before  he  suspected  it. 

^ith  a  seeming  knowledge  of  the  state  of  the  case,  the  young  brute  had  no 
sooner  landed  than  it  leaped  upward  and  buried  its  sharp  teeth  in  the  leg  of  Bob 
Marshall,  above  his  boot.  The  lad,  with  a  howl  of  dismay,  sprang  several  feet  in 
air,  kicking  his  limb  forward  as  if  to  free  himself  from  some  venomous  serpent  that 
had  fastened  its  fangs  in  his  flesh. 

"  Why  can't  you  behave  yourself  ?  "  he  demanded,  angrily  catching  up  his  tor- 
mentor and  raising  his  hand  to  give  it  a  cuff. 


HOW    CURIOSITIES    ARE    CAPTURED. 


But  the  blow  did  not  descend,  and  he 
joined  in  the  laugh  of  Dick,  who  was  cer- 
tainly warranted  in  turning  upon  him  in  that 
fashion. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  young 
creatures  knew  enough  to  mourn  the  loss  of 
their  parents,  could  they  have  been  made  to 
comprehend  that  they  had  actually  lost  them; 
they  were    simply  hungering  for  their  usual 
evening  meal,  and  had  it 
been  in  the  power  of  their 
captors  to  supply  that  want, 
they  would   have  been   as 
docile  as  lambs. 

"I  don't 
think  you  will 
starve  before 
we  get  you 


A  TROUBLESOME  CAPTIVE. 


28  HOW    CURIOSITIES    ARE    CAPTURED. 

back  to  camp,"  remarked  Bob,  picking  up  his  prize  more  carefully  than  before; 
"  and  when  we  once  land  you  there,  we'll  stuff  you  to  your  ears." 

It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  such  addresses  would  exert  a  very  soothing  effect 
upon  the  captives,  and  the  youths  were  not  long  in  finding  they  had  essayed  any- 
thing but  an  easy  task  in  carrying  them  to  headquarters. 

Before  half  the  distance  was  passed  the  night  was  fully  come;  the  faint  moon  in 
the  sky  gave  all  the  light  needed,  for  they  had  left  the  dense  jungle  behind  and 
were  pushing  through  a  portion  of  the  country  so  open  that  no  trouble  was  ex- 
perienced in  keeping  the  right  course. 

But  you  must  bear  in  mind  that  they  were  in  a  part  of  the  world  where  they 
were  continually  exposed  to  danger.  While  guarding  their  treasures,  therefore, 
with  such  care,  it  was  necessary  to  keep  their  senses  on  the  alert  for  other  forms  of 
peril. 

Several  times  Dick,  who  was  in  advance,  stopped  and  listened,  fancying  he 
detected  something  threatening;  but  fortunately  they  were  not  molested,  and  finally 
the  end  of  their  somewhat  laborious  journey  was  reached,  without  any  mishap 
either  to  themselves  or  the  prizes  in  which  they  were  so  much  interested. 


MY   AFRICAN    EXPEDITION. 

THERE  may  now  be  given  some  information 
about  the  expedition  whose  adventures  in 
Southern  and  Central  Africa  and  India  we  have 
set  out  to  tell. 

The  rule  with  the  hunting  parties  which  leave  Suakem  for  the  interior  of  Abys- 
sinia is  to  take  thirty  days  for  the  journey  into  the  desert  and  forty  days  to  return, 
the  greater  period  being  necessary  to  transport  the  captures  made. 

29 


MY    AFRICAN    EXPEDITION. 

This  expedition  which  was  sent  to  Southern  Africa,  however,  was  much  more 
elaborate  in  its  make-up  and  more  ambitious  in  the  results  sought. 

It  consisted  of  ten  natives,  respectively  known  as  Pongo,  a  Bushman  (whose 
people  show  some  resemblance  to  the  Chinese);  Diedrick,  a  Hottentot;  Abdallah, 
from  Senaar,  and  Govozy,  Wart,  Adz,  Bormo,  Divak,  Valmur,  Orak  and  Gooboo, 
gathered  from  the  wild  tribes  near  the  south-eastern  coast.  The  first  three  could 
talk  English  quite  well,  the  others  having  such  an  imperfect  knowledge  of  the 
language  that  they  rarely  attempted  to  make  their  meaning  known,  except  by  a 
gibberish  that  was  as  hard  for  Pongo,  Diedrick  and  Abdallah  to  understand  as  for 
the  American  members  of  the  company. 

The  three  of  whom  I  have  particularly  spoken  were  experienced  hunters,  Pongo 
having  been  acquainted  with  Gordon  Gumming  and  the  lamented  Livingstone, 
while  Diedrick  was  with  the  famous  missionary  when  he  died.  The  others  were 
simply  servants  who  were  counted  upon  to  do  what  may  be  called  the  menial  labor 
of  the  expedition. 

Carl  Godkin  was  the  director.  He  was  a  good  hunter  when  a  boy,  and  was  sent 
to  India  before  he  reached  his  majority,  which  was  thirty  years  previous  to  the  most 
important  enterprise  in  which  he  engaged  and  of  which,  as  promised,  we  have  set 
out  to  give  you  the  history. 

Although  nearly  fifty  years  old,  he  was  so  toughened  by  his  many  years  of  ex- 
posure that  he  seemed  proof  against  the  frightful  African  climate,  which  proves  fatal 
to  so  many  foreigners.  He  was  intelligent,  well  educated,  possessing  great  re- 
sources and  knowledge  of  natural  history,  and  was  one  of  the  most  successful 
sportsmen  that  ever  lived.  When  I  add  to  this  that  he  was  an  American,  thoroughly 
honest  and  devoted  to  my  interests,  you  will  approve  of  my  course  in  placing  him 
in  charge  of  the  expedition. 

In  addition  to  the  natives  named,  Mr.  Godkin  took  with  him  three  other  Ameri- 
cans as  his  main  assistants.  The  first  of  these  was  Jack  Harvey,  a  Texan  cowboy, 
ten  years  younger  than  himself,  but  his  equal  in  many  and  his  superior  in  other 
respects.  He  was  a  consummate  horseman,  could  throw  the  lasso  with  the  skill  of  a 
Comanche  chieftain,  was  a  wonderful  shot  with  his  Winchester  and  revolver,  and 
went  into  danger  from  pure  love  of  the  excitement  it  afforded. 

Jack's  qualities  were  known  in  San  Antonio,  ten  years  previous  to  the  time  we 
introduce  him  to  you.  His  handsome,  manly  appearance,  and  his  extraordinary 
coolness  and  courage,  rendered  him  famous  among  those  whose  chief  claims  to  ad- 
miration lie  in  that  direction,  and  when  he  announced  his  wish  to  enter  this  service, 
room  was  readily  made  for  him. 

Jack's  first  ambitious  attempt  was  in  New  Guinea,  where  he  secured  two  kangaroos 
and  acquitted  himself  so  well  that  I  was  pleased  to  send  him  into  Africa  with  Mr. 
Godkin  and  his  party. 

I  should  mention  one  peculiarity  of  Jack :  in  all  the  enterprises  in  which  he  en- 
gaged, he  stuck  to  his  cowboy  costume,  refusing  to  accommodate  himself  to  the 
particular  country  where  his  duty  led  him.  So  you  will  picture  him  always  as  a 


MY    AFRICAN    EXPEDITION. 


sinewy,  athletic  cowboy,  with  a  Roman  nose,  big  mustache,  chin  whiskers,  broad 
sombrero,  rattlesnake  band,  flowing  hair,  thick  flannel  shirt,  belt  around  the  waist, 
containing  cartridges,  bowie-knife  and  two  revolvers,  while  his  Winchester  was 
hardly  ever  absent  from  his  strong  right  hand. 

You  have  had  a  partial  introduction  to  the  remaining  members  of  the  expedition 
—  Bob  Marshall  and  Dick  Brownell  —  cousins  and  both  slightly  more  than  seventeen 
years  of  age.  These  young  gentlemen  have  made  me  promise  not  to  give  much  in- 
formation about  them,  though  I  can't  understand  why  they  should  feel  any  objection, 
since  all  that  I  could  tell  would  be  to  their  credit. 

I  will  say  this,  however: 
they  were  strong,  athletic 
youths,  belonging  to  good 
families,  bright,  honest, 
manly,  and  relatives  of  one 
of  the  dearest  friends  I  ever 
had.  It  was  their  intention, 
should  they  be  spared  to 
return  from  the  perilous 
enterprise  on  which  they 
entered  with  such  zest,  to 
become  students  in  Yale 
College,  where  they  were 
sure  to  make  a  creditable 
record  for  themselves. 

There  is  considerable 
more  interesting  informa- 
tion that  I  could  give  about 
these  young  men  of  whom 
I  am  so  fond,  but  they 
won't  let  me.  They  are  un- 
willing even  that  I  should 
mention  the  commendable 
fact  that  neither  has  ever 


JACK  HARVEY  AND  "  APACHE." 


tasted  liquor,  smoked  or  chewed  tobacco,  and  that  a  profane  word  has  never  polluted 
their  lips;  that  they  are  affectionate  and  dutiful  sons  —  but  really  I  must  proceed  no 
further,  or  I  shall  have  an  account  to  settle  with  them  when  my  good  publishers 
place  this  volume  before  you. 

Bob  and  Dick  followed  the  advice  of  Mr.  Carl  Godkin,  the  leader  of  the  expe- 
dition, in  all  things.  Like  him,  they  wore  the  hunting  costume  most  sensible  for 
Southern  Africa,  consisting  of  the  helmet  hat,  the  light  but  serviceable  hunting  coat 
and  trousers,  which,  like  those  of  Jack  Harvey,  were  thrust  in  the  top  of  their  cavalry 
boots.  The  latter  were  not  the  most  comfortable  for  that  climate,  and  many  hunters 
use  only  sandals,  without  stockings,  while  others  go  entirely  barefoot,  like  the  natives, 


J2  MY    AFRICAN    EXPEDITION. 

But  the  tough  leather  had  saved  every  one  of  the  four  more  than  once  from  the 
bites  of  venomous  snakes,  and  we  cannot  help  thinking  they  were  wise  in  retaining 
them.  At  any  rate,  it  is  a  safe  conclusion  that  if  ever  one  goes  on  a  similar  hunting 
jaunt,  he  shall  adopt  a  similar  costume. 

The  party  took  with  them  three  wagons,  all  of  which,  as  some  would  say,  had 
been  "salted,"  that  is,  they  were  seasoned  by  service  under  the  naming  sun  of 


AFRICAN  Ox. 

Africa,  and  were  not  liable  to  break  down  until  thoroughly  worn  out,  when,  like  the 
Parson's  famous  "  one-hoss  shay,"  it  might  be  expected  they  would  go  to  pieces  all 
at  once. 

The  latter  half  of  these  wagons  was  covered  with  canvas,  and  the  front 
open.  Each  was  drawn  by  two  span  of  oxen,  there  being  two  extra  span  tor 
emergencies. 


MY    AFRICAN    EXPEDITION.  33 

There  were  also  a  half  dozen  goats  to  furnish  milk  for  such  animals  as  required 
nursing  before  being  able  to  digest  their  natural  food.  The  supply  from  the  goats 
proved  a  blessing  many  a  time  to  the  hunters  themselves. 

Attached  to  the  expedition  were  six  fleet,  active,  intelligent  ponies  for  the  use 
ot  the  four  Americans,  two  being  extra.  It  was  characteristic  of  Jack  Harvey  that 
he  took  his  mustang,  which  he  called  "  Apache,"  from  Texas,  with  him.  Carl 
Godkin  assured  him  that  it  would  succumb  in  the  trying  climate  of  Africa,  but  the 
Texan  replied  that  in  that  case  he  would  be  no  worse  off  than  if  he  hadn't  taken 
him,  since  the  company  was  furnished  with  two  extra  animals. 

Up  to  the  date  of  which  I  am  writing,  Jack's  steed  was  as  vigorous  and  service- 
able as  when  bearing  his  rider  across  the  Llano  Estacado  in  pursuit  of  the  mur- 
dering Apaches,  and  his  owner  was  confident  that,  barring  accident,  he  would  take 
him  safely  through  his  campaign  in  the  Dark  Continent. 

All  were  armed  with  Winchester  repeaters,  beside  which  there  were  two  double- 
barrel  shot-guns,  full  choke,  intended  for  use  in  shooting  birds  and  smaller  game, 
especially  for  the  pot.  Each  man  also  carried  a  five-chambered  revolver,  Colt's 
pattern  (Jack  Harvey  being  the  only  one  who  used  two),  and  a  long,  keen  knife, 
indispensable  in  that  country. 

Of  course  there  was  a  full  supply  of  cooking  utensils,  a  number  of  simple 
medicinal  remedies  and  articles  which  it  is  not  necessary  to  particularize.  One  of 
these,  I  may  say,  however,  was  a  Texan  lasso  that  Jack  Harvey  carried  with  him 
when  careering  across  the  country  in  search  of  animals.  You  shall  speedily  receive 
proof  of  his  skill  in  the  use  of  this  peculiarly  American  contrivance,  so  popular  on 
the  Southwestern  border. 

The  natives  expected  to  do  little  hunting  and  generally  traveled  on  foot  or  took 
turns  in  riding  in  the  lumbering  wagons.  They  were  armed  with  spears  and 
knives  only,  there  being  one  notable  exception  in  the  case  of  Pongo,  who  carried  a 
boomerang,  or  rather  three  of  them. 

He  could  throw  those  singular  weapons  with  the  skill  of  a  native  Australian, 
though  where  he  got  them  and  by  what  means  he  acquired  his  dexterity  were  a 
puzzle  which  neither  Mr.  Godkin  nor  any  of  his  friends  was  ever  able  to  understand, 
since  that  most  remarkable  implement  is  almost  unknown  outside  of  Australia. 

Such  is  a  general  description  of  the  party  which  entered  the  wilds  of  Africa  in 
quest  of  curiosities  for  The  Greatest  Show  on  Earth,  and  whose  adventures, 
exploits  and  achievements  form  one  of  the  most  romantic  episodes  in  the  history  oi 
marvelous  enterprise. 

The  company  made  its  start  proper  from  Port  Natal,  which,  as  you  may  know,  is 
on  the  eastern  coast  of  Africa,  in  latitude  30°  south.  Moving  northwest  to  Peter- 
maritzburg,  they  made  their  way  through  the  Drakenberg  mountains,  which  form 
the  boundary  between  Natal  and  the  Orange  Free  State,  and  thence  through  the 
southern  part  of  the  Transvaal  into  Bechuana  Land. 

This  of  itself  was  a  great  journey,  the  history  of  which  would  be  interesting,  but 
the  real  work  of  the  expedition  did  not  open  until  they  were  several  hundred  miles 


34  MY    AFRICAN    EXPEDITION. 

from  the  coast,  and  the  space  at  my  command  will  not  permit  me  to  give  in  detail 
the  adventures  of  my  friends  on  their  way  thither.  Mr.  Godkin,  Bob  Marshall  and 
Dick  Brownell  kept  full  journals  of  their  doings,  from  which  1  have  been  enabled  to 
write  this  history.  Had  I  left  that  work  to  any  one  of  the  three  individuals,  his 
modesty  would  have  prevented  him  appropriating  full  credit  for  his  own  exploits; 
but,  possessing,  as  I  do,  the  narrative  of  all,  and,  intimately  acquainted,  as  I  am,  with 
the  excellences  of  each,  I  am  quite  sure  I  have  placed  the  credit  where  it  properly 
belongs. 

Then,  too,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  many  portions  of  Natal,  the  Orange 
Free  State  and  the  Transvaal  Republic  have  been  settled  and  developed  to  such  an 
astonishing  degree  during  the  last  few  years  that  the  laborious  journey  of  our  friends 
lacked  the  stirring  features  which  awaited  them  further  in  the  Dark  Continent. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE    CAMP    IN    BECHUANA    LAND. 

T  was  a  merry  party  which  formed  the  camp  in  Bechuana  Land,  near  the 
Kalihari  Desert,  and  almost  under  the  Tropic  of  Capricorn.  It  was  the  most 
favorable  season  of  the  year,  and  every  member  of  the  original  company  had 
reached  this  distant  point  without  serious  accident.  Naturally,  therefore,  all  were 
in  good  spirits  and  full  of  high  hopes.  Ah,  if  I  could  but  say  the  same  a  short 
time  later  ! 

What  was  still  more  remarkable,  not  a  horse  or  ox  had  been  lost,  and  the  wagons 
proved  they  had  been  thoroughly  "salted."  One  of  the  goats  wandered  too  near  a 
boa-constrictor  one  day,  and  the  reptile  darted  his  head  from  the  limbs  of  a  tree  in 
which  he  was  coiled  and  gathered  in  the  poor  capricornus  with  the  quickness  of 
lightning. 

The  indignant  Jack  Harvey  put  a  bullet  through  the  eyes  of  the  enormous  ser- 
pent and  gave  him  his  quietus,  but  that  didn't  bring  the  goat  back  to  life.  As  it 
was,  however,  our  friends  could  not  but  admit  they  had  been  extremely  fortunate 
thus  far,  and  they  prayed  heaven  that  their  good  fortune  might  continue. 

The  camp  was  on  one  of  the  many  tributaries  of  the  Hart  River  which  ulti- 
mately finds  its  way,  by  means  of  the  Great  Orange,  into  the  South  Atlantic  Ocean. 
The  wagons  were  placed  near  the  bank  of  the  stream,  which  was  several  rods  wide, 
the  animals  collected  in  an  irregular  circle  within  them,  while  two  large  fires  were 
kindled  with  the  intention  of  keeping  them  burning  until  daylight.  The  horses  and 
oxen  had  become  so  accustomed  to  the  perils  of  the  country  that  they  required 
little  attention,  except  when  actually  threatened  by  the  attack  of  wild  animals. 

The  natives  busied  themselves  by  attending  to  the  fires  and  preparing  the  even- 
ing meal.  The  abundance  of  dry  grass  and  wood  near  at  hand  rendered  the  gather- 
ing of  fuel  a  comparatively  easy  matter,  while  one  of  the  double-barrel  shot-guns 
had  been  turned  to  such  good  account  by  Mr.  Godkin  that  there  was  a  full  supply 
of  palatable  antelope  steak. 

The  animals  had  advanced  to  this  point  at  such  a  leisurely  pace,  and  had  been 
given  so  many  opportunities  to  crop  the  luxuriant  grass  on  the  way  that  they  lacked 
nothing,  and  the  oxen  contentedly  chewed  their  cuds  as  they  lay  on  the  ground, 
before  sinking  into  slumber. 

The  evening  meal  being  finished,  the  natives  sat  apart,  where  most  of  them  could 
chatter  in  their  own  peculiar  fashion  and  see  that  the  fires  were  not  allowed  to  die 
out.  The  four  Americans,  having  looked  after  their  ponies,  also  assembled  in  a 
group  by  one  of  the  fires,  to  engage  in  conversation  as  was  their  custom  at  the  close 
of  each  day. 

35 


THE    CAMP    IN    BECHUANA    LAND.  37 

Before  doing  so,  however,  the  boys  surrendered  the  leopard  kittens  to  Pongo  and 
Diedrick,  who  declared  them  to  be  two  of  the  finest  specimens  they  had  ever  seen. 
They  were  given  a  hearty  meal  of  goat's  milk,  after  which  they  curled  up  in  the  strong 
cage  brought  for  such  purposes  in  the  rear  of  one  of  the  large  wagons,  and  sank 
into  dreamland,  pictures  of  contentment  and  peace. 

Jack  Harvey  had  been  off  on  a  ramble  with  his  mustang,  and  had  twice  started 
in  pursuit  of  ostriches,  but  found  it  impossible  to  get  near  enough  for  a  successful 
shot.  Consequently,  he  came  back  empty-handed,  and,  since  Mr.  Godkin  hadn't 
tried  to  capture  anything,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  success  of  the  party  for  the  day 
was  attained  by  Bob  and  Dick  alone. 

The  first  thing  done  by  Mr.  Godkin,  after  the  conclusion  of  the  meal,  was  to 
light  his  pipe,  for  he  was  an  inveterate  smoker.  Jack  Harvey  did  the  same,  since 
he  was  also  fond  of  the  weed,  while  Bob  and  Dick  lolled  in  lazy  attitudes,  which 
were  very  restful  after  their  long  tramp. 

"We've  made  a  pretty  good  beginning,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  "  for  I  agree  with 
Pongo  that  we  have  two  fine  specimens  of  leopards  which  I  hope  will  safely  reach  The 
Greatest  Show  on  Earth,  though  the  voyage  is  a  long  and  trying  one  to  the  animals." 

"  I  don't  think  we  ought  to  call  this  a  beginning,"  said  Dick  Brownell,  "  for  Jack 
lassoed  a  fine  young  hartbeest  further  east  and  we  got  an, eland  last  week." 

The  hartbeest,  as  you  may  not  be  aware,  is  found  in  the  flat  wooded  districts 
of  South  Africa,  the  eland  also  belonging  to  that  part  of  the  continent.  The  latter 
is  one  of  the  largest  and  heaviest  of  all  antelopes,  and  its  flesh  is  excellent  eating. 
My  friends  disposed  of  many  of  them  while  pushing  their  way  through  South  Africa. 

Some  years  ago  one  of  the  Earls  of  Derby  attempted  to  domesticate  the  eland 
in  England,  but  I  believe  he  did  not  meet  with  encouraging  success. 

"We  caught  them  so  easily,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  replying  to  the  remark  of  Dick, 
"that  I  hardly  count  them." 

"  But  they  are  valuable  none  the  less." 

"Yes,  and  they,  too,  are  doing  well.  I  hope  we  shall  be  equally  fortunate  with 
what  else  we  secure." 

"I  had  an  easy  job  with  that  hartbeest,"  said  the  Texan;  "the  little  fellow 
started  to  run  off,  and  I  lassoed  him  as  easy  as  if  he  had  been  a  child.  Then  he 
gave  up  right  away  and  hasn't  made  any  trouble,  I  believe." 

"  He  make  no  trouble  —  he  good,"  remarked  Pongo,  walking  over  from  the  other 
group  and  joining  his  employers;  "wait  till  we  cotch  oders  —  then  they  not  so  good." 

"  I  think  we  shall  have  some  fun  to-morrow,"  observed  Jack,  removing  his  pipe 
from  his  mouth  and  sending  several  rings  of  smoke  toward  the  stars. 

The  others  looked  inquiringly  at  him,  but  he  smiled  grimly  and  shook  his  head 
with  the  remark: 

"  I  ain't  going  to  give  anything  away;  there  may  be  a  slip-up,  but  whether  there 
is  or  isn't,  you've  got  to  wait  and  see  for  yourselves." 

It  was  useless  to  question  him  when  he  spoke  that  way,  and  no  one  did  so.  The 
cousins  were  all  eagerness,  for,  truth  to  say,  though  they  had  fully  entered  one  of 


38  THE    CAMP    IN    BECHUANA    LAND. 

the  wildest  regions  of  the  globe,  where  the  largest  animals  known  abound,  they  had 
not  encountered  as  many  as  they  anticipated. 

"Have  patience,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  when  they  referred  to  this  fact;  "you  will 
get  your  fill  of  adventure,  and  probably  more  too,  before  you  see  salt  water  again." 

"  That  may  be,"  replied  the  sprightly  Dick,  in  a  tone  which  implied  that  he 
doubted  whether  it  was  possible  for  him  and  his  cousin  to  obtain  more  than  they 
desired,  "  provided  we  push  northward  through  the  Congo  State  into  the  Gaboon 
country,  the  home  of  the  chimpanzee  and  gorilla." 


HARTBEEST. 

The  boys  and  Jack  looked  at  the  director  of  the  expedition  to  observe  how  he 
received  this  feeler.  The  sagacious  fellow  shook  his  head. 

"  I'm  afraid  you  don't  understand  what  you  say.  We  shall  find  all  we  can  attend 
to  in  this  part  of  the  world.  To  travel  from  the  Tropic  of  Capricorn,  through  the 
heart  of  Africa,  to  the  Equator,  is  a  task  which  I  don't  believe  was  ever  accomplished 
by  mortal  man,  though  a  great  deal  of  the  country  has  been  explored.  We  are  here 
to  hunt  curiosities  for  the  shows,  not  to  penetrate  unknown  regions,  and,  if  we  un- 
dertake what  you  seem  to  favor,  they  would  not  only  lose  the  money  that  has  been 
invested  in  this  enterprise,  but  we  should  lose  our  lives." 


THE    CAMP    IN    BECHUANA    LAND.  39 

"But,"  Bob  Marshall  hastened  to  say,  "no  one  has  any  idea  of  attempting  the 
journey  you  speak  of,  though  Dick  has  referred  to  it." 

"  What,  then,  is  your  plan  ?  " 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  after  we  have  captured  about  all  we  came  for  in  this  part 
of  the  world,  we  shall  be  as  near  the  Atlantic  as  the  Indian  Ocean  coast.  Instead 
of  going  back  to  Port  Natal,  it  will  be  as  easy  for  us  to  journey  to  the  western 
shore." 

"  I  hadn't  thought  of  that,"  replied  Mr.  Godkin,  after  a  moment's  pause,  "  though 
I  am  better  acquainted  with  the  country  through  which  we  have  come  than  that  to 
the  westward." 

"I  don't  see  that  that  makes  much  difference,"  observed  Jack,  "for  we  can't 
know  much  about  a  region  that  we've  been  through  only  once,  and,  as  long  as 
we're  in  the  same  latitude,  it  isn't  likely  we  shall  find  many  changes  in  the  country 
itself." 

"  After  reaching  the  Atlantic  coast,"  said  Dick,  "  we  can  take  sail  to  Loango  and 
get  to  the  Gorilla  country  without  trouble." 

"You've  put  the  matter  in  a  shape  that  will  bear  thought,"  replied  Mr.  Godkin. 
"I  suspect,"  he  added  with  a  smile,  "  that  you  two  young  gentlemen  have  been  dis- 
cussing the  matter  when  I  wasn't  present." 

The  boys  laughed  and  admitted  that  the  project  was  a  favorite  one  with  them. 
They  had  informed  themselves,  so  far  as  they  could,  before  leaving  home,  as  to  the 
habits,  peculiarities  and  home  of  the  wonderful  gorilla,  and  they  had  talked  to  Jack 
Harvey  so  long  that  he  was  won  over. 

While  those  three  would  not  have  hesitated  to  plunge  northward  tLrough 
the  heart  of  the  Dark  Continent  to  the  Gaboon  country,  under  the  Equator, 
I  am  glad  to  say  that  Mr.  Carl  Godkin  was  immovable  in  the  sensible  position 
he  took. 

Not  to  mention  the  peril  from  wild  men  and  beasts,  this  journey  would  have 
taken  them  into  regions  as  pestilential  as  the  famed  valley  of  the  Upas  tree,  ard 
from  which  they  would  have  stood  no  more  chance  of  emerging  than  if  flung  over- 
board in  the  middle  of  the  Atlantic. 

But  the  plan,  as  outlined  by  the  cousins,  was  not  without  its  possibility  of  suc- 
cess. The  powerful  motive  with  Mr.  Godkin  was  that  of  securing  some  specimens 
of  the  chimpanzee,  but  especially  of  the  gorilla,  and  there  was  hardly  a  danger  he 
would  not  have  faced  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  them  for  me. 

No  doubt  many  readers  of  these  pages  have  seen  one  or  more  chimpanzees,  but  I 
am  quite  sure  that  few  have  ever  gazed  upon  a  gorilla,  because  no  one  has  lived  to 
be  brought  to  this  country.  By  special  invitation,  I  spent  considerable  time  in  in- 
specting the  male  gorilla  that  was  on  exhibition  some  years  ago  in  London,  but  he 
died  shortly  after,  and  it  seems  impossible  to  preserve  them  for  any  length  of  time, 
after  removal  from  their  native  haunts.  Large  sums  of  money  have  been  expended 
in  the  attempt  to  secure  one  of  the  pets,  which  we  consider  as  more  interesting  and 
valuable  than  the  famous  white  elephant  of  Siam,  which  cost  over  two  hundred 


,J.O  THE  CAMP  IN  BECHUANA  LAND. 

thousand  dollars,  and  whose  death  by  fire  at  Bridgeport  in  November,  1887,  didn't 
cause  the  public  a  pang  of  regret. 

However,  the  time  hasn't  come  just  yet  to  talk  about  the  Gorilla  country,  but  I'll 
have  something  interesting  to  tell  you  of  that  region  and  those  strange  creatures 
beiore  you  finish  these  pages. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A    STARTLING   VISIT. 

custom  adopted  by  Mr.  Godkin,  after  entering  fairly  upon  his  work  in  Africa, 
was  to  place  himself  or  one  of  his  friends  on  guard  during  the  first  half  of  the 
night,  with  two  of  the  natives  as  assistants.  At  midnight  a  change  was 

made,  another  American  and  a  couple  of  servants  assuming  care  of  the  camp  until 

daylight. 


ONE  OF  THE  NATIVES. 

Such  an  arrangement  was  easily  carried  out,  and  caused  little  discomfort  to  the 
sentinels,  who,  if  they  felt  the  call  for  extra  sleep,  had  opportunity  to  secure  it  during 
the  day. 

It  fell  to  the  lot  of  Dick  Brownell,  Pongo  and  Diedrick  to  look  after  themselves 
and  the  rest  during  the  first  portion  of  darkness,  after  which  Jack  Harvey,  Abdallah 
and  Govozy  were  to  take  their  places. 


41 


A    STARTLING   VISIT. 


RUSTLING  IN  THE  GRASS. 


The  conversation  around  the  camp 
fires  did  not  last  long,  for  our  friends 
had  learned  the  wisdom  of  regularity 
in  their  habits.  It  was  quite  early 
when  Mr.  Godkin  and  Bob  Marshall 
stretched  themselves  out  in  one  of  the 

wagons   and  sank   into  the   deep,  restful  slumber  which   always  waits  on 
health.     The  Americans  made  it  a  rule  to  slumber  in  the  wagons,  where 
they  felt  safer,  but  the  natives  preferred  to  lie  on  their  blankets  on  the  earth, 
sometimes  dispensing  with  the  covering  altogether. 

Two  hours,  therefore,  before  midnight,  Dick  Brownell,  with  his  Winchester  over 
his  shoulder,  was  pacing  back  and  forth  near  the  animals  and  wagons,  and  within 
the  circle  of  light  thrown  out  by  the  camp  fires.  Pongo  and  Diedrick  sat  a  short 
distance  off,  smoking  their  pipes  and  occasionally  talking  in  low  tones.  They  did 
not  feel  it  necessary  to  keep  in  motion  to  preserve  their  wakefulness,  and  probably  it 
was  not  always  needed  in  the  case  of  the  Americans.  Some  nights  before,  however, 
Bob  Marshall,  while  standing  guard,  had  sat  down  for  a  few  minutes,  fallen  asleep 
and  endangered  the  safety  of  all,  for  the  native  assistants,  supposing  him  to  be 
awake,  left  a  part  of  the  duty  to  him.  After  that,  it  was  understood  that  the  practice  of 
sentinels  elsewhere,  and  of  the  watch  on  board  ship,  would  be  strictly  followed. 

Everything  went  well  until  near  midnight.  The  servants,  stretched  upon  the 
ground,  were  asleep,  and  there  could  be  no  doubt  of  the  unconsciousness  of  the 
Americans  in  the  wagons.  The  animals  were  equally  oblivious  to  their  surround- 
ings, and  the  glance  which  Dick  cast  in  the  direction  of  the  Bushman  and  Hotten- 
tot caused  a  suspicion  that  they  were  also  taking  an  excursion  into  the  land  of 
dreams. 

He  walked  over  to  where  he  had  heard  the  murmur  of  their  voices. 

"Just  as  I  suspected,"  he  said  with  a  smile;  "the  camp,  therefore,  is  under  my 


A    STARTLING    VISIT.  43 

charge  and  I  ought  to  feel  the  responsibility,  as  I  think  I  do.  Pongo  and  Diedrick 
have  done  unusual  work  to-day  and  were  more  tired  than  they  thought.  I'll  let 
them  sleep  till  it  is  almost  time  to  change  the  guard,  Und  then  wake  them  up  so  as 
to  save  their  reputation,  unless  some  danger  appears — 

The  thought  had  hardly  found  expression,  when  a  rustling  in  the  tall  grass,  just 


LION. 

beyond  the  area  of  illumination,  warned  Dick  that  the  utmost  watchfulness  was 
required.  By  this  time,  the  moon  was  so  low  in  the  heavens  that  it  gave  scarcely 
any  light  at  all. 

In  the  direction  of  the  stream  was  a  rank  growth  of  high  grass,  which  offered 
the  best  of  hiding  for  wild  animals.  This  fact  had  been  so  apparent  to  the  party, 
when  forming  camp,  that  they  had  moved  several  rods  back  from  the  water,  where 


A    STARTLING   VISIT.  45 

the  ground  was  more  open.  That  in  the  opposite  direction  contained  nothing 
more  than  a  stunted  growth  of  vegetation,  only  a  few  inches  in  height. 

Instantly  Dick  was  on  the  alert,  and,  holding  his  rifle  ready  for  immediate  use, 
he  peered  toward  the  water. 

He  could  see  nothing,  but  he  was  none  the  less  certain  that  some  kind  of  animal 
was  there.  More  than  that,  he  was  almost  positive  as  to  its  species. 

In  the  repressed  excitement  of  the  moment,  the  youth  forgot  about  awaking  the 
natives.  His  whole  anxiety  was  to  learn  the  nature  of  the  danger  that  threatened 
himself  and  companions. 

Suddenly  two  small,  round  circles  of  light  flickered  in  the  grass  and  then  van- 
ished, almost  before  they  were  seen. 

Dick  knew  they  were  the  eyes  of  a  huge  lion,  whose  orbs  at  that  instant  reflected 
the  light  of  the  fire,  the  head  immediately  shifting  its  position,  so  as  to  hide  the 
phosphorescent  glow  from  the  watchful  youth. 

The  cunning  beast  did  not  growl,  and  was  evidently  trying  to  steal  upon  the 
camp  unawares.  But  for  Dick's  vigilance  the  king  of  beasts  would  have  accom- 
plished it  without  detection. 

The  gloom  in  the  grass  was  too  deep  for  the  lad  to  locate  the  massive  head  of 
lithe  body,  and,  uncertain  whether  he  had  changed  his  position  or  not,  he  dared  not 
fire.  He  was  standing  in  this  attitude  of  doubt  when  the  lion  did  an  astounding 
thing. 

He  had  not  changed  his  position,  but,  crouching  low  in  the  grass,  where  he  was 
invisible,  he  gathered  his  mighty  muscles  and  made  a  prodigious  bound  upon  the 
one  marked  for  his  victim. 

This  was  not  Dick  Brownell,  as  you  might  suppose,  but  the  native  called  Orak, 
who  lay  sleeping  the  farthest  from  one  of  the  fires  and  the  nearest  to  the  beast. 

It  was  while  the  youth  was  trying  so  hard  to  penetrate  the  gloom,  that  he  sud- 
denly saw  the  lion  rise  from  the  grass,  as  if  he  were  lifted  in  air,  and  then  come 
over  in  his  terrible  parabola  toward  the  unconscious  African,  who  was  slumbering 
less  than  a  dozen  feet  from  where  Dick  was  standing. 

The  lion  did  not  utter  the  slightest  roar,  seeming  to  know  that  prudence  forbade, 
for  he  was  too  intelligent  to  attack  such  a  large  company  when  on  their  guard. 

It  seemed  singular  that  the  beast  did  not  assail  one  of  the  oxen  or  ponies  or 
goats,  but  it  is  a  strange  fact  connected  with  the  lion,  that  he  generally  prefers  to 
attack  a  native  African,  even  when  other  game  is  more  convenient. 

At  the  instant  the  beast  was  at  the  highest  point  of  the  appalling  arch,  Dick 
Brownell  let  fly  with  his  Winchester.  A  horrible  growl  left  no  doubt  that  his  bullet 
had  found  its  mark,  but,  the  enormous  animal  having  started,  nothing  could  check 
his  prodigious  bound  while  in  air.  He  landed  astride  the  sleeping  Orak,  and,  drop- 
ping his  massive  jaws,  fastened  them  in  his  shoulder,  whirled  about  and  galloped 
off  in  the  darkness,  as  lightly  as  if  carrying  a  kid. 

His  action  was  as  quick  as  a  cat's,  but  as  he  wheeled,  Dick  continued  firing, 
sending  two  more  shots  into  him  before  he  passed  beyond  reach. 


46  A    STARTLING   VISIT. 

Poor  Orak  uttered  a  piercing  screech  as  the  teeth  of  the  beast  sank  in  his 
shoulder,  and  he  was  lifted  from  his  feet  and  borne  off  with  his  knees  dragging 
along  the  ground. 

The  report  of  the  rifle,  the  cry  of  the  native  and  the  shout  of  Dick  roused  every 
one  in  camp.  Jack  Harvey,  who  had  learned  the  need  of  awaking  like  a  flash,  on 
the  plains  of  Texas  and  New  Mexico,  bounded  from  the  wagon,  gun  in  hand,  while 
Mr.  Godkin  and  Bob  Marshall  were  at  his  heels. 

The  natives  leaped  to  their  feet,  as  if  the  ground  had  suddenly  become  red  hot, 
and  stared  bewildered  around  them. 

"  Where  is  he  ?  What  is  it  ?  "  demanded  the  Texan,  dashing  after  Dick,  who 
had  started  to  overtake  the  lion. 

"  It's  a  lion  ;  he's  got  Orak  !  look  out  or  you'll  kill  him  instead  of  the  beast." 

"Which  way  did  he  go?"  asked  Jack,  staring  into  the  gloom  without  catching 
sight  of  the  monster. 

His  question  was  answered  by  a  wail  from  the  poor  African,  struggling  vainly  in 
the  grasp  of  the  merciless  beast. 

All  four  Americans  and  most  of  the  servants  ran  at  their  highest  speed  in  the 
direction  of  the  cry. 

Mr.  Godkin  seized  a  brand  from  one  of  the  fires,  and,  swinging  it  above  his 
head,  took  the  lead,  the  others  seeing  the  indispensable  advantage  the  torch  gave 
him. 

"  He  is  badly  hurt,"  called  Dick,  "  and  I  don't  believe  will  run  far." 

"  Look  out !  we're  close  on  him  !  "  called  Jack,  in  a  warning  voice,  fearful  that 
Mr.  Godkin's  haste  would  lead  him  into  inextricable  peril. 

But  the  veteran  knew  what  he  was  doing.  Holding  the  torch  above  his  head, 
he  circled  it  swiftly,  so  as  to  add  to  its  flame,  and,  bending  his  head  forward,  stood 
still  and  peered  into  the  gloom  beyond. 

"  Here,  Jack  !  "  he  called  in  a  low  voice  ;  "  I  see  him  !     Fire  quick  !  " 

It  was  important  to  keep  the  torch  aflame,  since  an  unerring  shot  could  not  be 
made  without  it.  Mr.  Godkin,  therefore,  though  he  held  his  gun  in  one  hand,  made 
no  attempt  to  fire,  since  to  do  so  successfully  he  would  have  had  to  cast  aside  his 
torch  or  pass  it  to  some  one  else. 

There  were  too  many  good  marksmen  at  his  elbow  to  render  this  necessary. 
"  Hold  your  light  a  little  higher,"  said  Jack  Harvey,  bringing  his  rifle  to  his 
shoulder  and  striving  for  a  better  view  of  the  lion. 

"  Be  careful  you  don't  hit  Orak,"  admonished  Dick,  who  had  restrained  his  own 
fire  through  the  fear  of  injuring  the  native. 

The  lion,  as  he  frequently  does  under  such  circumstances,  had  run  but  a  short 
distance,  when  he  crouched  on  the  ground  to  devour  his  victim. 

He  had  halted  near  a  clump  of  bushes,  wheeling  about  so  as  to  face  his 
pursuers,  who  approached  within  fifteen  or  twenty  yards.  The  native  had  been 
laid  on  the  ground  between  his  paws,  where  he  had  almost  fainted  from  the  pain 
of  his  wounds. 


A    STARTLING    VISIT. 


47 


But  the  lion  had  also  been  badly  hurt,  and,  as  Orak  lay  in  that  frightful 
position,  he  felt  the  warm,  crimson  drops  from  the  king  of  beasts,  as  they  dripped 
upon  his  breast  and  shoulders,  while  the  muttering  growls  proved  that  he  had  his 
share  of  pain. 

Orak  did  not  dare  move,  for  he  knew  the  instant  he  made  the  attempt  he  would 
be  crushed  by  a  blow  from  one  of  those  paws  that  were  powerful  enough  to  smash 
the  skull  of  an  ox,  as  though  it  were  a  rotten  apple. 

He  remained  motionless,  aware  even  in  that  awful  situation  that  his  friends  had 
rushed  to  his  help  and  that  his  only  hope  was  in  them  ;  if  they  failed,  he  was  doomed. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

AN  ATTACK  IN  THE  REAR. 

|ACK  HARVEY,  the  Texan,  formed  a  striking  figure,  as,  with  his  left  foot 
thrust  forward,  he  brought  his  Winchester  to  his  shoulder  and  aimed  at  the 
massive  front  of  the  lion. 

Mr.  Godkin  stood  at  his  elbow  with  the  flaring  torch  above  his  head,  striving  to 

give  him  all  the  light  necessary,  while  Dick  Brownell,  Bob  Marshall  and  the  terrified 

natives  were  grouped  just  back  of  the  couple,  intently  watching  the  exciting  scene. 

Jack  was  cool  and  meant  that  the  single  shot  when  fired  should  be  all-sufficient. 

The  couchant  lion  held  his  paws,  so  as  to  inclose  his  motionless  victim.     With 

his  dripping  head  raised  and  staring  at  the  hunter,  he  gave  utterance  to  threatening 

growls,  as  if  daring  the  avenger  to  do  his  worst. 

Suddenly  the  bony  finger  pressed  the  trigger,  a  sharp  report  rang  out,  and  the 
sphere  of  lead,  entering  midway  between  the  blazing  eyes,  plowed  its  path  through 
bone,  muscle  and  brain  into  the  vitals  of  the  beast,  which  sprang  convulsively  to 
its  feet,  whirled  around  like  lightning  and  rolled  over  as  dead  as  Julius  Caesar. 

Then  the  whole  group  ran  forward  and  bent  over  the  prostrate  Orak.  A  groan 
showed  he  was  conscious,  and  while  Mr.  Godkin  held  the  torch,  he  was  tenderly 
lifted  from  the  ground  and  borne  to  the  camp,  apparently  more  dead  than  alive. 

Half  the  distance  was  passed,  when  an  outcry  from  the  three  natives  that  had 
stayed  behind  proved  that  some  new  danger  had  burst  upon  the  camp. 

"What's  up  now?"  demanded  Jack  Harvey,  breaking  into  a  run. 

"Wild  animals  seem  to  travel  in  couples  in  this  part  of  the  world,"  replied 
Bob  Marshall,  who  had  caught  a  glimpse  of  a  second  beast  by  the  light  of  the  camp 
fires. 

He  was  right,  as  the  others  saw  before  he  uttered  the  words.  The  lioness  had 
been  lurking  in  the  vicinity  at  the  time  of  her  mate's  daring  charge.  Taking  ad- 
vantage of  the  diversion  created  by  him,  she  made  a  foray  into  camp,  where  she 
caused  indescribable  consternation. 

The  horses,  oxen  and  goats  were  roused  by  this  time,  and  were  so  frightened 
that  there  was  danger  of  them  breaking  into  a  stampede,  in  which  many  would  be 
irrecoverably  lost. 

Like  the  lion,  his  mate  fixed  her  attention  upon  one  of  the  natives,  this  time  it 
being  Divak,  the  smallest  and  most  insignificant  member  of  the  party. 

He  had  just  risen  to  his  feet,  when  the  female  was  upon  him.  Though  he  was 
armed  only  with  a  spear  and  knife,  he  made  the  best  defense  possible. 

Confronted  by  the  raging  beast,  he  let  drive  with  his  javelin,  which  he  handled 
with  the  deftness  of  a  Zulu  warrior.  He  aimed  at  the  center  of  the  animal's  breast, 

48 


AN    ATTACK    IN    THE    REAJl. 


49 


but  she  turned  slightly  aside  at  the  moment  of  his  effort,  and  the  point  sank  several 
inches  in  her  shoulder,  inflicting  a  maddening  wound  which  intensified  his  own 
peril. 

Had  his  companions  shown  equal  bravery,  all  might  have  been  well  with  Divak, 
but  they  were  overcome  by  terror,  and  instead  of  rallying  to  his  help,  ran  shouting 
after  those  who  had  gone  to  the  aid  of  Orak. 

The  Americans  saw  the  situation,  and  lost  no  time  in  hastening  to  the  assistance 
of  the  servant,  who  was  confronting,  single-handed,  the  enraged  lioness. 

The  latter  made  such  a  fierce  leap  to  one  side,  when  the  spear  entered  her  body, 
that  the  weapon  was  wrenched  from  the  grasp  of  Divak,  who  was  left  only  with  his 
long-bladed  knife. 

This  was  whipped  from  the  upper  part  of  his  breech-cloth,  where  he  carried  it, 
and  he  struck  desperately  at  the  animal  as  she  bore  him  to  the  ground.  Like  the 
former  weapon,  it  inflicted  a  bad  wound,  but  not  a  mortal  one,  and,  sad  to  say, 
everything  done  by  the  brave  fellow  really  added  to  his  own  peril. 

Instead  of  carrying  off  the  prostrate  native,  as  the  lion  had  done  with  his  victim, 
the  female  struck  him  a  blow  which  shattered  his  skull  as  though  it  were  an  egg- 
shell, the  fellow  dying  with  a  suddenness  almost  like  that  caused  by  a  lightning- 
stroke. 

But,  if  it  was  the  last  fight  of  Divak,  so  was  it  the  last  stroke  of  the  lioness'  paw. 
Hardly  was  the  fearful  blow  delivered,  when  the  crack  of  a  rifle  sounded  above  the 
tumult,  and  the  stricken  beast,  with  a  wild  struggle,  rolled  over  in  the  agonies  of 
death. 

It  was  Dick  Brownell,  who  had  outrun  his  friends,  and,  pausing  at  the  moment 
he  saw  the  native  borne  to  the  earth,  gave  the  finishing  blow  to  the  raging  beast. 
Alas!  that  it  came  just  an  instant  too  late  to  save  her  victim. 

As  may  be  supposed,  all  was  excitement  for  a  few  minutes,  though  the  elder 
members  of  the  party  retained  their  presence  of  mind. 

The  chattering  and  affrighted  natives  flocked  to  the  spot,  Pongo  and  Diedrick 
devoting  themselves  to  soothing  the  animals  and  preventing  the  dreaded  stampede, 
while  the  Americans,  seeing  that  Divak  was  past  help,  placed  Orak  in  one  of  the 
wagons,  where  he  received  all  possible  attention. 

"Watch  for  more  lions,"  admonished  Mr.  Godkin;  "I  will  attend  to  him.  We 
may  receive  another  visit." 

The  advice  was  good,  though  the  danger  was  an  improbable  one. 

A  few  minutes  later,  something  like  quiet  was  restored.  The  rush  was  averted, 
and  the  natives  regained  something  of  the  self-possession  that  had  left  them  so  sud- 
denly a  short  time  before. 

Convinced  that  all  peril  for  the  time  was  past,  the  members  gathered  around  the 
vehicle  where  Mr.  Godkin  was  attending  to  the  wounded  native. 

By  the  aid  of  the  torch,  he  had  effected  a  careful  examination  of  the  hurts  of  his 
patient.  Jack  Harvey  now  took  charge  of  the  light,  leaving  both  hands  of  the 
director  free  to  complete  the  work  of  the  good  Samaritan. 


THE  DEATH  SHOT. — Page  48. 


AN    ATTACK    IN    THE    REAR.  5! 

Greatly  to  the  relief  of  all,  Mr.  Godkin  said  that,  though  Orak  had  been  badly 
hurt,  he  was  likely  to  recover.  No  bones  were  broken,  though  his  shoulder  was 
shockingly  mangled  and  he  was  weak  from  the  loss  of  blood. 

From  the  stores  of  the  expedition  were  brought  bandages  and  an  excellent  medi- 
cated wash,  which  were  applied  by  Mr.  Godkin  with  a  skill  acquired  by  practice  in 
India  and  other  parts  of  the  world.  Then  a  gentle  stimulant  was  administered  to 
the  sufferer,  who  was  assured  that  if  he  remained  quiet  and  kept  a  brave  heart,  he 
would  soon  be  himself  again. 

Having  done  all  that  was  possible  for  him,  Mr.  Godkin  descended  from  the 
wagon  and  approached  the  still  form  around  which  the  rest  were  collected,  silent 
and  awed  by  the  sudden  death. 

"All  that  we  can  do  is  to  give  him  decent  burial,"  he  remarked,  looking  down 
on  the  body,  "and  we  may  as  well  do  it  without  delay." 

A  couple  of  the  natives  were  set  to  work,  the  soft  soil  requiring  the  use  only  of  the 
shovel,  though  among  the  supplies  were  several  picks  that  could  have  been  employed 
if  required. 

The  grave  was  made  deep,  to  protect  the  remains  from  being  dug  up  by  hyenas 
and  other  wild  beasts,  and  into  this  cavity  the  remains  of  poor  Divak  were  tenderly 
lowered,  there  to  remain  until  summoned  forth  by  the  last  great  trump  which 
shall  call  us  all  to  judgment. 

The  terrifying  incidents  of  the  evening  drove  off  all  disposition  to  sleep  on  the 
part  of  our  friends.  In  the  discussion  that  followed,  Dick  Brownell  was  obliged  to 
make  known  the  fact  that  Pongo  and  Diedrick  had  so  far  forgotten  themselves  as 
to  fall  asleep  when  it  was  their  duty  to  keep  awake,  but  the  generous  youth  insisted 
that  the  censure  should  be  visited  upon  him,  since  he  ought  to  have  awakened  them. 

Jack  Harvey,  Bob  Marshall  and  Mr.  Godkin  assured  him,  however,  that  no  blame 
could  attach  to  him,  since  he  had  acquitted  himself  manfully,  and  he  had  done  much 
to  save  Orak  from  the  frightful  death  that  at  one  time  seemed  certain  to  overtake 
him. 

Several  times  during  the  remaining  hours  of  darkness,  the  roar  of  lions  was 
neard,  and  you  need  not  be  told  that  a  keen  lookout  was  kept  for  another  visit  from 
tne  dreaded  beasts;  but  the  sounds  in  every  case  were  distant,  and  the  animals,  if 
they  ventured  nearer,  did  not  disturb  any  of  our  friends  or  their  property. 

A  probability  naturally  suggested  itself  to  the  hunters  :  since  the  male  and  female 
lion  were  slain,  and  since  an  examination  of  the  latter  showed  that  she  had  been 
nursing  young,  a  chance  to  obtain  one  or  two  specimens  was  at  the  command  of  the 
hunters.  The  attempt  was  to  be  made  at  daylight. 

Pongo  had  displayed  a  remarkable  aptitude  in  tracing  the  dens  and  lairs  of  wild 
beasts,  his  long  experience  as  a  hunter  having  given  him  a  skill  not  possessed  by 
the  rest.  A  few  trained  hounds  would  have  been  of  great  assistance,  but  since  they 
were  liable  to  be  devoured  by  some  of  the  game  they  set  out  to  find,  none  had  been 
brought  with  the  party. 

At  the  earliest  streakings  of  light,  the  Bushman,  without  waiting  for  his  morning 


52  AN    ATTACK    IN    THE    REAR. 

meal,  walked  along  the  bank  of  the  stream,  until  he  reached  ths  highest  point, 
when  he  paused  and  scrutinized  the  surrounding  country. 

Dick  and  Bob  watched  him  with  no  little  interest. 

"He  knows  so  much  about  the  habits  of  wild  animals,"  remarked  Bob,  "that  he 
can  easily  locate  their  dwelling-places." 

"  I  suspected  he  possessed  some  secret  of  tracing  them,  but  I  guess  you  are 
right  —  ah  !  he  has  discovered  something." 

The  next  moment  Pongo  broke  into  a  loping  trot,  like  that  of  an  American 
Indian,  taking  a  course  that  led  him  farther  up  stream. 

His  shoulders  were  seen  regularly  rising  and  falling,  until  the  slope  of  the 
ground  shut  him  from  sight.  He  had  left  his  spear  in  camp,  but  he  carried  his 
three  boomerangs,  the  longer  portions  of  which  had  been  thrust  in  his  clothing  at 
his  waist,  where  they  could  be  withdrawn  the  instant  needed. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE  CHAMPION  OF  STUPIDITY. 


A  HALF  hour  later,  the 
Bushman  was  seen  ap- 
proaching camp,  where 
the  members 

i 

were    engaged 
at  breakfast. 

"By  grac- 
ious! he's  got 
something," 
•aid  Bob  Mar- 


"- 


"  WHAT  THINK  OF  HIM." 

shall,  springing  to  his  feet,  his  cousin  doing  the  same.     "  Yes,  and  it's  some  kind  of 
animal,"  added  Dick. 


54  THE    CHAMPION    OF    STUPIDITY. 

"  It  looks  to  me,"  added  Jack  Harvey,  "  as  if  he'd  found  a  baby  that  has  lost  its 
mother." 

"That's  just  what  he  has  got,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  who  identified  the  prize  before 
any  of  the  others. 

Pongo,  instead  of  carrying  his  captive  by  the  nape  of  the  neck,  as  the  boys  had 
done  most  of  the  distance  with  the  young  leopards,  held  it  in  his  arms,  where,  pos- 
sibly because  of  some  skill  he  possessed,  it  did  not  struggle  or  give  any  trouble. 

"What  think  of  him  ?"  he  asked,  stooping  over  and  placing  it  on  the  ground. 

All  were  delighted,  for  the  baby  lion  was  a  vigorous  specimen  that  would  have 
pleased  the  heart  of  any  showman.  When  put  on  its  feet  it  looked  like  a  bull  pup 
or  chunky  kitten,  and  was  not  without  a  certain  incipient  majesty,  as  it  raised  its 
head  and  peeped  inquiringly  around  in  the  faces  of  those  that  were  surveying  it 
with  so  much  interest. 

Pongo  had  an  interesting  story  to  tell.  He  had  found  the  "  lion's  den  "  without 
trouble,  among  a  mass  of  rocks  a  short  distance  up  the  stream.  There  were  two 
young  ones,  or  rather  had  been,  for  one  was  dead. 

I  must  tell  you  a  singular  fact  regarding  lions.  From  one  to  three  are  born  at 
a  litter ;  if  three,  two  are  males,  and  if  two,  there  is  one  of  each  sex.  Out  of  every 
four  females  born,  one  dies  in  infancy  from  teething,  while  the  male  has  iittle  if  any 
difficulty  from  that  source.  As  a  consequence,  in  countries  where  lions  abound,  the 
males  greatly  outnumber  the  females. 

The  young  one  of  that  sex  which  Pongo  saw  had  succumbed  to  the  impossibility 
of  cutting  her  teeth,  and  had  been  flung  out  of  her  quarters  by  the  mother,  while 
the  brother  was  in  prime  condition,  suffering  only  from  hunger,  as  had  been  the 
case  with  the  leopard  kittens  the  evening  before. 

For  several  days  after  her  young  are  born  the  mother  never  leaves  them  for  an 
instant.  It  is  not  long,  however,  before  they  are  able  to  trot  by  her  side,  and  then 
she  takes  them  out  for  a  walk.  Before  their  return  she  furnishes  them  a  dainty 
meal  of  some  kind  of  tender  flesh,  which  is  carefully  shredded  so  as  not  to  hurt 
their  gums. 

It  is  said  that  the  owners  of  domestic  animals  in  South  Africa  know  when  the 
young  of  lions  are  born  by  the  havoc  their  mothers  make  among  the  youngest  of 
their  flocks. 

This  animal,  known  as  the  king  of  beasts,  is  nocturnal  in  his  habits,  keeping  his 
lair  from  sunrise  to  sunset,  unless  drawn  out  by  thirst.  He  is  indisposed  to  attack 
when  the  moon  is  shining,  so  much  so  indeed  that  at  such  times  the  oxen  are  not 
generally  tied  up.  When  there  is  no  moon,  however,  look  out ! 

Faint  as  was  the  orb  on  the  night  of  the  visit  I  have  just  described,  the  lion  and 
lioness  would  not  attack  until  it  had  almost  entirely  disappeared. 

The  strength  of  the  lion  is  amazing.  The  blow  which  crushed  the  skull 
of  Divak  was  only  an  ordinary  one.  A  male  has  been  known  to  seize  a 
buffalo,  after  disemboweling  it,  and  trot  off  with  only  a  portion  of  it  dragging  on 
the  ground. 


THE    CHAMPION    OF    STUPIDITY.  55 

His  teeth,  like  all  the  carnivora,  the  quadrumana  and  man,  are  composed  of  bone 
and  enamel,  the  entire  crown  being  covered  with  the  latter.  His  tongue,  as  is 
the  case  with  the  tiger,  is  so  rough  that  a  few  licks  will  scrape  the  skin  from  your 
hand. 

Pongo  gave  it  as  his  belief  that  the  specimen  captured  by  him  was  three  or  four 
weeks  old  —  old  enough  to  care  nothing  for  babe's  food.  This  was  proven  when 
some  of  the  uncooked  antelope  was  dissected  and  placed  in  front  of  him.  He  ate 
with  as  much  zest  as  my  young  friends  devour  pies  and  puddings. 

The  arrangement  was  now  made  for  a  hunt  by  Jack,  Bob  and  Dick,  each  mounted 
on  his  horse.  Mr.  Godkin  was  invited  to  go  along,  but  he  did  not  feel  easy  about 
Orak.  The  fellow  had  a  high  fever,  and  the  crisis  in  his  condition  was  evidently  at 
hand.  The  director  said  they  would  stay  in  camp  until  the  following  morning,  since 
all  their  surroundings  were  favorable  and  to  move  the  native  in  the  wagon  would 
increase  his  peril.  It  was  characteristic,  therefore,  of  the  kind-hearted  Mr.  Godkin 
that  he  should  remain  with  the  sufferer,  so  long  as  there  was  a  prospect  of  helping 
him  by  doing  so. 

The  rest  of  the  natives  of  course  stayed  behind,  for  it  was  impossible  for  them 
to  appreciate  the  eager  enjoyment  with  which  the  Americans  entered  upon  a  hunt 
that  promised  to  be  spiced  with  personal  danger. 

Mounted  on  their  fleet,  tough  ponies,  and  keeping  well  together,  the  three  friends 
galloped  at  an  easy  pace  in  the  direction  of  a  ridge  of  hills  which  the  Texan  had 
passed  just  before  dusk  the  day  before,  and,  in  crossing  which  he  had  observed 
something  that  induced  him  to  take  his  companions  to  the  spot  in  the  hope  of 
showing  them  a  species  of  sport  which  they  had  not  yet  enjoyed. 

He  persisted  in  refusing  to  give  them  any  inkling  of  its  nature,  and  they  were 
left  to  indulge  in  all  sorts  of  surmises,  Jack  simply  smiling  and  replying  with  some 
remark  that  bore  no  relation  to  their  questions. 

Good  as  well  as  ill  fortune  seemed  to  wait  on  our  friends,  for  the  game  that  Jack 
was  seeking  was  found  awaiting  him  and  his  comrades. 

Riding  up  the  first  slope,  they  looked  down  in  a  valley  about  half  a  mile 
wide  and  three  or  four  times  as  long,  the  hills  which  formed  its  boundary  sloping 
away  at  each  end  until  they  sank  to  the  level  of  the  plain.  Halting  their  animals 
at  a  point  about  midway  between  the  ends  of  the  valley,  and,  gazing  before  them, 
they  saw  five  ostriches  quietly  plucking  the  grass. 

The  "  camel  birds,"  as  they  are  sometimes  called,  were  within  a  third  of  a  mile 
of  the  northern  opening  of  the  valley,  and  consequently  much  nearer  it  than  were 
the  hunters. 

You  will  naturally  conclude  that  the  huge  birds  were  not  in  any  danger,  for  the 
way  of  escape  was  open  and  the  speed  of  the  ostrich  is  so  great  that  in  a  fair, 
straight-away  chase,  no  horse  can  run  him  down. 

But  of  all  fools  that  were  ever  created,  I  think  the  ostrich  is  the  champion. 
Among  birds  and  beasts  I  have  never  met  any  with  such  monumental  stupidity. 
Were  it  otherwise,  I  don't  see  how  so  many  of  your  sisters  and  lady  friends  would 


THE    CHAMPION    OF    STUPIDITY. 


57 


be  able  to  wear  the  glossy  plumes  that  we  all  admire  so  much,  for  it  would  be  almost 
impossible  to  secure  them. 

You  have  read  accounts  of  the  manner  in  which  the  Bushman  hunts  the  ostrich. 
He  gets  himself  up  so  as  to  resemble,  when  viewed  from  the  side  turned  toward  the 
bird,  the  ostrich  itself,  and  manages  to  insinuate  himself  among  a  herd,  when  he 
clubs  his  victims  to  death. 

Such  zanies  deserve  to  be  clubbed. 

The  plan  of  Jack  and  the  youths  was  to  ride  down  the  hillside  into  the  valley, 
taking  care  that  the  ostriches  should  see  them.  The  horsemen  would  head  toward 
the  opening  furthest  removed  from  the  game.  Then  the  latter  had  only  to  turn 


OSTRICH  HUNTING. 

about  and  run  out  of  the  egress  near  them  into  the  broad,  level  country  beyond, 
where  they  could  laugh  at  every  effort  to  overtake  them. 

But  what  do  you  suppose  they  did? 

The  hunters  had  no  more  than  fairly  started  down  the  slope,  when  one  of  the 
ostriches  threw  up  his  head  and  stared  at  them.  Then  a  second,  third,  fourth  and 
fifth  did  the  same.  Standing  motionless  a  few  seconds,  they  deliberately  started 
on  a  swift  trot  in  the  direction  of  the  outlet  which  was  a  mile  beyond  the  horsemen 
and  nearly  two  miles  from  themselves. 

I  have  asked  many  of  my  hunters  for  their  explanation  of  this  stupidity  on  the 
part  of  the  bird.  Carl  Godkin  probably  states  the  truth  when  he  repeats  the  general 
belief  of  hunters,  that  the  action  of  the  sportsmen,  when  they  head  toward  the 


58  THE    CHAMPION   OF    STUPIDITY. 

avenue  of  escape  which  is  the  hardest  for  the  ostrich  to  reach,  leads  the  bird  to 
think  there  is  some  trap  or  snare  at  the  other  opening  into  which  the  sportsmen  are 
trying  to  drive  him.  He  therefore  runs  the  opposite  way,  even  though  it  is  certain 
to  bring  him  in  collision  with  the  very  enemy  he  seeks  to  escape. 

Thus  Jack,  Bob  and  Dick  were  galloping  toward  the  same  outlet  of  the  valley 
which  the  ostriches  were  seeking  to  gain,  with  the  distance  nearly  twice  as  great 
for  the  game  as  for  the  hunters.  The  routes  must  of  necessity  converge,  but  the 
birds  were  sure  to  keep  straight  on,  though  they  saw  the  foes  rapidly  nearing  them, 
and  when,  too,  they  had  only  to  turn  about  and  take  the  opposite  direction  to  insure 
their  safety. 

"There  they  come!"  called  out  Bob,  hurrying  his  horse  through  fear  that  the 
great  speed  of  the  birds  would  carry  them  to  the  outlet  before  he  could  reach  it. 

"The  ostrich  is  the  biggest  fool  that  goes  on  legs,"  remarked  the  disgusted  Jack, 
"but,  all  the  same,  don't  you  forget  that  when  you  get  him  into  a  corner,  he  will 
fight  like  fury." 

"I  suppose  these  are  too  big  to  capture,"  observed  Bob,  "so  we  can  only  try  to 
bring  down  two  or  three." 

"I've  a  notion  to  try  an  experiment,"  said  the  Texan. 

"What's  that?" 

"  Fling  a  lasso  over  the  head  of  one,  yank  him  'round,  and  see  whether  I  can't 
persuade  him  to  sheer  off  on  another  route." 

"  I  don't  believe  you  can  do  it,  and  it  will  be  a  good  deal  like  lassoing  a  loco- 
motive." 

"  I  ain't  afraid  on  that  account,"  replied  Jack,  with  a  confidence  which  promised 
ill  for  his  enterprise,  since  he  had  never  hunted  ostriches,  though,  like  his  young 
comrades,  he  had  informed  himself  as  thoroughly  as  he  could  concerning  their 
habits. 

Pongo  was  an  old  hunter  of  the  birds,  and  had  told  them  so  much  that  the  three 
felt  something  of  regret  because  they  had  not  persuaded  him  to  join  them  in  what 
promised  to  be  a  most  exciting  experience. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

AN  OVERTHROW. 

most  of  the  distance  down  the  slope,  the  ponies  kept  well  together,  but, 
before  reaching  the  southern  outlet,  the  Texan  began  to  draw  away  from  his 
companions.  His  mustang  was  one  of  the  fleetest  of  his  kind,  and,  when 
given  free  rein,  as  his  rider  gave  him  now,  he  never  failed  to  prove  his  superiority. 
He  steadily  forged  ahead  of  Dick  and  Bob,  who  could  have  remained  side  by  side, 
had  they  wished,  but  they  deemed  it  best  to  separate. 

The  cause  for  this  parting  was  the  action  of  the  ostriches,  which  showed  a  differ- 
ence of  speed  that  was  as  marked  as  it  was  unexpected. 

One  of  the  immense  birds  took  the  lead,  gaining  so  fast  that  by  the  time  he 
reached  the  opening  he  was  fully  a  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  the  others.  The 
latter  were  also  scattered,  the  flock  streaming  through  the  valley  in  Indian  file,  with 
the  rear  nearly  a  furlong  behind  the  leader. 

"You're  my  game,"  muttered  Jack  Harvey,  fixing  his  eye  on  the  foremost,  a  huge 
male,  and,  therefore,  the  most  formidable  of  the  group. 

You  have  all  seen  an  ostrich,  and  can  easily  picture  the  fellow  that  knew  no 
better  than  to  run  into  a  trap  with  his  eyes  open,  and  to  lead  the  rest  of  his  friends 
thither.  With  his  comparatively  small  head  thrust  far  forward,  not  with  his  neck 
curved,  but  straight  and  leaning  like  a  post  out  of  plumb,  his  short,  stumpy  wings 
partly  outspread  and  his  muscular  legs  doubling  swiftly,  he  gave  a  display  of  fleet- 
ness  that  would  have  made  the  chase  hopeless,  had  he  but  possessed  enough  sense 
to  use  the  advantage  at  his  command. 

Now,  I  don't  wish  you  to  form  a  poor  estimate  of  the  sense  of  the  Texan  cowboy, 
for  he  is  to-day,  as  he  always  was,  among  the  coolest  and  most  level-headed  gentle- 
men I  ever  knew,  but  we  are  all  liable  to  make  blunders,  and  one  of  the  greatest  of 
his  life  was  committed  when  on  his  ostrich  hunt. 

He  was  in  earnest,  at  the  time  he  assured  his  young  friends  that  he  meant  to 
lasso  one  of  the  birds,  and,  by  way  of  experiment,  seek  to  reverse  his  line  of  flight. 

It  cannot  be  said  there  was  anything  specially  foolhardy  in  this,  since  he  pos- 
sessed admirable  means  for  making  the  test,  but,  when  he  displayed  his  contempt 
for  the  ostrich,  by  declining  to  take  the  precautions  he  showed  in  lassoing  wild  horses 
and  other  animals,  he  was  guilty  of  an  indiscretion  for  which  he  deserved  to  suffer 
discomfiture. 

Instead  of  securing  one  end  of  his  lasso  to  the  support  on  his  saddle  (as  he  could 
have  done  either  before  or  after  flinging  it),  he  wound  it  around  his  left  arm.  Jack 
was  proud  of  his  horsemanship,  and  spurned  the  thought  that  any  ostrich  was  able 
to  unseat  him. 

59 


60  AN    OVERTHROW. 

As  was  his  custom  when  he  required  the  use  of  both  hands,  he  slung  his  Win- 
chester over  his  back,  whence  he  could  bring  it  with  the  same  amazing  quickness 
with  which  a  Texan  secures  the  "drop  "  on  an  enemy  by  whipping  out  his  revolver. 

Jack's  mustang  was  not  only  swift,  but  intelligent.  He  needed  no  prodding  to 
understand  that  his  rider  wished  to  be  brought  within  lasso  distance,  as  it  may  be 
called,  of  the  giant  ostrich  that  was  leading  the  herd.  The  steed  proceeded  to  do 
so  with  the  skill  that  he  had  displayed  in  placing  the  cowboy  many  a  time  along- 
side of  a  plunging  buffalo  bull.  The  reins  lay  on  his  neck,  and  Jack  held  himself 
ready  for  the  hazardous  exploit. 

Our  friends  were  "making  history"  with  a  rush.  The  mustang  and  the  leading 
ostrich  were  converging  with  a  mathematical  surety  that,  if  continued,  was  sure  to 
bring  the  two  in  collision,  but  at  the  moment  when  such  a  meeting  seemed  inev- 
itable, the  steed,  of  his  own  accord,  swerved  slightly  to  the  left,  so  that  the  lines  of 
flight  immediately  become  parallel.  The  fugitive  did  not  vary  an  inch  to  the  right 
or  left.  Had  a  stone  wall  suddenly  risen  in  front  of  him,  more  than  likely  he  would 
have  dashed  out  his  brains  against  it. 

That  is,  if  it  can  be  believed  the  ostrich  is  the  owner  of  any  brains  to  dash  out. 

The  mustang  was  slightly  in  advance  of  the  bird,  which  was  where  his  rider 
wished  him  to  be.  He  was  still  on  a  dead  run,  but  the  game  was  steadily  gaining. 

Already  Jack  Harvey  was  circling  the  loops  of  the  lasso  above  his  head,  just  as 
one  does  when  preparing  to  cast  it  around  the  neck  of  a  fleeing  fugitive. 

Swifter  and  swifter  hummed  the  loops  until  they  resembled  the  misty  spokes  of 
a  rapidly  revolving  wheel.  Then,  like  the  coiled  serpent,  they  shot  forward,  straight 
at  the  projecting  head  of  the  king  ostrich. 

The  aim  was  unerring,  but  the  bird  ducked  and  escaped  the  loop  by  a  hair's 
breadth,  the  rope  dragging  along  the  ground  as  the  Texan  hurriedly  gathered  it  in, 
knowing  that,  with  the  astonishing  speed  of  the  bird,  it  was  impossible  to  secure 
more  than  a  second  chance  to  lasso  him. 

Now,  don't  make  the  mistake  of  supposing  it  was  the  sagacity  of  the  ostrich  that 
led  him  to  dodge  the  whizzing  coil.  The  sudden  lowering  of  his  head  was  an 
instinctive  movement,  caused  by  the  sight  of  the  arrowy  rope  shooting  toward  him. 

It  was  Jack  Harvey  that  showed  his  mental  keenness  by  reading  the  act  aright. 
He  meant  to  take  that  into  calculation  when  making  his  second  throw. 

I  need  not  tell  you  that  no  time  was  lost.  The  ostrich  had  come  abreast  of  the 
mustang  and  passed  beyond,  before  Jack,  with  all  his  dexterity,  could  gather  in  the 
rope  and  fling  it  again. 

The  pony  was  running  for  all  he  was  worth.  He  must  have  experienced  an 
emotion  of  wonder  when  he  entered  into  a  contest  of  speed  and  saw  that  his 
antagonist  could  outrun  him,  but,  with  a  pluck  characteristic  of  the  gallant  steed, 
he  strained  every  muscle,  as  though  there  was  a  fighting  chance  of  reaching  the  goal 
first. 

As  I  said,  Jack  Harvey,  when  throwing  a  second  time,  took  into  calculation  the 
probability  that  the  ostrich  would  duck  his  head  as  in  the  first  instance. 


AN    OVERTHROW. 


61 


Now,  if  the  fugitive  had  held  his  neck  motionless,  the  lasso  would  have  failed 
once  more,  but,  just  as  the  Texan  expected,  he  ducked  and  thereby  brought  about 
his  own  overthrow. 

Having  displayed  his  stupidity  by  his  peculiar  flight,  it  was  eminently  proper 
that  he  should  sustain  that  reputation  by  inserting  his  head  into  the  snare  that  was 
dangled  in  front  and  above  it.  In  it  went,  very  much  as  you  thrust  your  hand  into 
a  hollow  tree  to  draw  out  a  shrinking  squirrel. 

In  accordance  with  his  training,  the  mustang,  the  instant  he  saw  the  success  of 
his  rider,  threw  himself  on  his  haunches  and  braced  himself  for  the  shock  that  was 


AN  OVERTURN. 


meant  to  bring  down 
the  ostrich,  or  instantly 
check  his  flight.  Jack, 
as  I  told  you,  had 
wound  several  feet  of 
the  tenacious  rope  a- 
round  his  left  arm,  so 
that  he,  too,  was  pre- 
pared for  the  shock. 

It  was  terrific.   The 

ostrich  was  brought  up  with   such    suddenness  that  he   fell  on   his  side,  where, 
struggling  savagely  for  a  second  or  two,  he  scrambled  to  his  feet  again. 

In  the  general  smash-up  it  so  happened  that  he  rose  with  his  head  turned  pre- 
cisely the  opposite  way  from  that  which  he  had  been  following.  He  started  back- 
ward a  step  or  two,  then  stopped  and  stared  around,  in  a  bewildered  manner,  and, 
all  at  once,  wheeled  and  resumed  his  flight  in  the  same  direction  he  was  following 
when  so  roughly  interrupted. 

Jack's  experiment,  therefore,  had  answered  the  question  that  was  in  his  mind 
when  he  set  out  on  his  hunt  after  the  idiotic  birds 


62  AN    OVERTHROW. 

But  the  end  was  not  yet. 

When  the  crisis  of  the  collision  came,  and  the  bird  tumbled  to  the  earth,  Jack 
Harvey  thought  his  arm  was  jerked  from  the  shoulder,  and  had  not  his  sagacious 
mustang  yielded  a  little  ground,  the  rider  would  have  been  snatched  from  his  stir- 
rups. 

As  it  was,  he  recovered  and  sustained  himself  by  a  skill  which  not  one  horseman 
in  a  thousand  possesses. 

Unfortunately,  Jack  did  not  heed  the  lesson,  and,  instead  of  coiling  the  other 
end  around  the  knob  of  his  saddle,  he  still  relied  on  his  arm  to  withstand  the 
second  wrench,  which  he  believed  could  not  be  as  powerful  as  the  first. 

But  never  did  a  man  receive  a  ruder  awakening. 

It  was  not  the  ostrich  that  was  overturned  this  time,  though  he  was  almost 
whirled  off  his  feet,  but  before  the  Texan  knew  what  was  coming,  he  was  roughly 
snatched  out  of  his  saddle,  as  if  by  the  hand  of  a  giant,  and  sprawled  headlong  on 
the  plain. 

Not  only  that,  but  the  ostrich  continued  its  flight  as  though  unconscious  of  the 
drag  weight  he  was  drawing,  and  Jack  went  bumping  and  bounding  over  the  ground, 
like  an  anchor  thrown  out  from  the  rear  of  an  express  train. 

It  took  him  but  a  moment,  however,  to  unwind  the  rope  that  held  his  arm,  when 
he  lay  still,  and  the  ostrich  serenely  continued  his  flight,  with  the  lasso  trailing  after 
him. 

"  Well,  I'll  be  hanged,"  muttered  the  Texan  ;  "  I  thought  the  ostrich  was  the 
biggest  fool  on  earth,  but  he  aint, —  there's  another  whose  name  is  Jack  Harvey, 
from  San  Antonio,  Texas." 

Without  stirring  or  attempting  to  rise,  the  cowboy  drew  his  rifle  around  in  front, 
it  having  suffered  no  injury  during  the  owner's  rough  usage.  Still  lying  flat  on  the 
ground,  he  raised  his  shoulders  just  enough  to  give  him  the  needed  room,  and  aimed 
at  the  author  of  his  discomfiture. 

The  distance  was  considerable,  and,  since  the  Texan  scorned  to  shoot  at  any 
part  of  the  bird  except  its  head,  the  shot  was  a  difficult  one, —  that  is,  difficult  for 
most  persons. 

But  when  Jack  pressed  the  trigger,  the  bullet  sped  true  to  its  aim,  and  went 
through  the  skull  of  the  ostrich  with  the  accuracy  and  fatal  effect  of  a  stiletto. 

The  elevated  head  instantly  dropped,  and,  resting  on  the  ground,  while  the  legs 
continued  their  motion,  the  ostrich  resembled  some  strange-fashioned  plow,  ripping 
up  the  soil  at  locomotive  speed. 

But  not  for  long. 

You  can  understand  how  a  plow,  driven  at  such  prodigious  rate,  is  liable  to  take 
a  header,  on  striking  some  immovable  obstruction.  That  is  just  what  the  ostrich 
did.  Actually  turning  a  half  somersault,  and  kicking  his  legs  for  a  minute  or  two  in 
air,  he  departed  this  life. 

Jack's  mustang,  reading  aright  the  stirring  incidents,  trotted  toward  his  master 
and  waited  for  him  to  remount. 


AN    OVERTHROW.  63 

The  action  of  the  pony  seemed  to  say : 

"I'm  ashamed  of  you  for  such  work  as  this." 

"  I  don't  feel  very  proud  myself,"  remarked  the  Texan,  rising  slowly  to  his  feet 
and  moving  toward  the  fallen  bird  for  the  purpose  of  recovering  his  lasso ;  "  but 
I've  learned  a  lesson  to-day  which  I  won't  forget  very  soon.  1  wonder  how  Bob  and 
Dick  are  making  out." 

Aye  indeed,  how  were  they  making  out  ? 


CHAPTER  X.    , 

A    DARING    EXPLOIT. 

is  not  necessary  to  tell  you  that  in  the  ostrich  hunt  there  was  no  intention  of 
trying  to  capture  any  one  of  the  gigantic  birds  as  a  curiosity  for  The  Greatest 
Show  on  Earth. 

Such  an  exploit  would  have  been  almost  impossible  :  the  creatures  can  be 
secured  only  when  young,  or  hatched  from  eggs. 

Our  friends  aimed  to  have  some  exciting  sport,  and  it  proved,  in  the  case  of  each, 
far  more  so  than  any  anticipated. 

As  they  galloped  down  the  slope,  Dick  and  Bob,  like  Jack,  selected  the  particular 
bird  to  which  he  meant  to  give  his  undivided  attention.  Bob  fixed  upon  the  second, 
which,  as  I  told  you,  was  about  a  hundred  yards  behind  the  leader. 

The  youth  was  not  in  the  lasso  business,  and,  while  galloping  toward  his  victim, 
he  decided  to  try  his  revolver  instead  of  his  rifle  upon  him. 

It  would  seem  that  the  smaller  weapon  ought  to  have  been  sufficient,  since  the 
fight  was  sure  to  be  at  close  quarters. 

Recalling  the  remark  that  Jack  had  made  about  the  impossibility  of  changing 
the  line  of  flight  of  a  frightened  ostrich,  Bob  made  up  his  mind  to  test  it,  though 
necessarily  in  an  indecisive  way. 

Instead,  therefore,  of  galloping  up  beside  the  ostrich,  as  the  Texan  had  done,  he 
forced  his  pony  directly  across  the  course  of  the  bird  and  brought  him  to  a  stand- 
still. 

But  the  horse  was  uneasy,  as  any  animal  would  naturally  be  when  halting  in 
the  course  of  a  charging  enemy  of  the  size  of  the  ostrich.  He  snorted,  reared,  and 
finally,  despite  all  the  rider  could  do,  made  a  tremendous  bound  that  carried  him 
far  to  one  side  of  the  line  of  flight. 

Bob  whirled  him  about  so  as  to  face  the  bird,  and,  afraid  that  it  would  escape 
him  altogether,  whipped  out  his  revolver  and  discharged  all  the  chambers  in  rapid 
successioa. 

Fearful  that  he  would  miss,  because  of  the  restlessness  of  his  pony,  the  youth 
did  a  thing  which  was  as  reckless  as  the  conduct  of  Jack  Harvey. 

Leaping  from  his  saddle,  he  ran  forward,  so  as  to  place  himself  in  front  of  the 
approaching  ostrich,  which  showed  no  evidence  of  having  been  struck  by  the  pistol 
balls,  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  and  aimed  at  the  small  head  which  was 
bearing  down  upon  him  like  a  cannon  ball. 

Now,  Bob  knew  better  than  to  keep  precisely  in  the  path  of  the  game,  since  a 
dangerous  collision  would  have  been  sure  to  follow,  but  he  placed  himself  just  far 

64. 


A    DARING    EXPLOIT.  65 

enough  to  one  side  to  allow  the  bird  to  pass  him,  his  intention  being  to  give  him  the 
fatal  shot  at  the  moment  he  came  opposite. 

The  plan  was  not  without  its  good  features,  and,  had  the  ostrich  done  what  was 
expected,  the  result  would  have  been  all  that  the  youth  desired.  But,  unfortunately 
for  Bob,  it  did  the  unexpected  thing. 

Unlike  Jack's  game,  the  bird  changed  the  line  of  flight. 

One  or  two  of  the  pistol  balls  fired  by  the  lad  had  really  wounded  the  ostrich, 
whose  native  stupidity  did  not  prevent  him  comprehending  that  an  enemy  was  on 
the  ground  within  reach. 

At  the  instant,  therefore,  that  Bob  brought  his  rifle  to  a  level,  the  bird  swerved 
to  one  side,  and,  before  the  lad  could  understand  what  was  coming,  delivered  a 
kick  which  sent  him  sprawling  a  dozen  feet  away. 

Bear  in  mind  that  the  ostrich  kicks  forward,  just  the  same  as  you  do.  'The  pro- 
digious muscularity  of  the  bird  enables  it  to  do  this  with  a  force  sufficient  to  break 
the  ribs  of  a  lion  or  smash  the  breast  of  a  hunter. 

It  was  a  wonder  that  Bob  Marshall  was  not  killed  outright.  All  that  saved  him 
was  his  gun  leveled  in  front.  That  acted  like  a  shield,  parrying  the  full  force  of 
the  kick,  which,  however,  was  sufficient  to  make  the  recipient  feel  as  though  he  had 
been  struck  by  the  lightning-express,  when  striving  to  make  up  lost  time,  on  a 
descending  grade. 

A  million  stars  danced  before  his  eyes,  everything  turned  of  inky  blackness,  and, 
falling  outstretched  upon  the  ground,  with  his  gun  knocked  out  of  his  hands,  he 
lay  for  a  minute  or  two  senseless. 

When  he  recovered  and  rose  on  one  elbow,  the  game  that  had  knocked  him  out 
so  scientifically  was  nowhere  in  sight.  It  had  disappeared  through  the  southern 
opening  of  the  valley,  very  little  if  any  the  worse  for  the  pistol  balls,  which  had  drawn 
but  a  few  drops  of  blood. 

"  I've  had  enough  ostrich  hunting  for  one  day,"  concluded  Bob,  climbing  to  his 
feet,  with  a  dozen  aches  and  pains  in  different  parts  of  his  body.  "  I  hope  Jack  and 
Dick  have  done  better  than  I,  though  it  looks  to  me  as  if  matters  haren't  gone  just 
right  with  them." 

Dick  Brownell  picked  out  the  ostrich  at  the  rear  of  the  flock  as  his  special  prize, 
and,  withdrawing  all  attention  from  what  his  companions  were  doing,  centered  his 
energies  on  bringing  down  this  bird,  which,  despite  its  slowness  of  gait,  was  fully 
the  equal  of  the  leader  that  had  given  Jack  Harvey  such  a  tough  tussle. 

It  really  seemed  as  if  each  of  the  three  hunters  had  determined  on  risking 
their  lives  in  the  most  reckless  fashion  while  engaged  in  the  ostrich  hunt.  I 
have  told  you  what  Jack  and  Bob  did,  but  Dick  surpassed  them  all  in  daring 
hardihood. 

Unlike  his  companions,  he  remained  undecided  as  to  his  line  of  action  until,  it 
may  be  said,  it  was  forced  upon  him. 

He  noticed  the  size  of  the  rear  ostrich,  and  wondered  why  his  speed  was  less 
than  his  companions',  though  he  was  rather  glad  of  the  fact,  since  it  gave  him  better 


66 


A    DARING    EXPLOIT. 

opportunity  to  arrange  for  the  combat,  which  he  meant 
should  take  place  before  the  bird  joined  the  rest. 

Dick  reached  a  point  directly  in  front  of  the  os- 
trich, while  he  was  still  several  rods  distant,  and,  like 
Bob,  he  decided  to  try  to  compel  him  to  head  the 
other  way. 

The  result  in  every  respect  was  surprisingly  dif- 
ferent. 

Dick's  pony  held  his  ground,  as  immovably  as  a 
veteran,  and  the  ostrich,  instead  of  coming  straight  on  and  banging 
against  him,  suddenly  checked  himself,  when  no  more  than  a  dozen 
feet  distant,  wheeled  squarely  about,  and,  contrary  to  all  laws  that 
govern  his  species,  headed  toward  the  northern  outlet,  through 
which  he  might  have  fled  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  hunters. 

Dick  was  astonished,  and,  determined  that  the  game  should  not 
escape,  he  spoke  sharply  to  his  pony,  which  made  a  tremendous 


TURNING  THE  TABLES. 


bound  that  landed  him  alongside  the  ostrich,  the  latter  not  having  time  to  strike  hi? 
pace  before  the  leap  of  the  steed. 


A    DARING    EXPLOIT.  67 

Bird  and  horse  were  now  almost  close  enough  to  touch.  This  proximity,  how- 
ever, could  not  continue  more  than  a  few  seconds,  since  the  game,  though  slower 
than  his  companions,  was  sure  to  draw  away  from  the  horse,  even  though  the  latter 
should  run  at  his  topmost  bent. 

A  strange  impulse  seized  Dick  Brownell  at  that  exciting  moment.  Had  he  pos- 
sessed one  minute  for  reflection,  he  would  have  dismissed  the  thought  before  it  was 
fairly  formed,  but,  unfortunately  for  him,  that  minute  was  not  his. 

Freeing  his  feet  from  the  stirrups,  he  flung  one  leg  over  the  front  of  the  saddle, 
and,  while  both  pony  and  ostrich  were  on  a  full  run,  he  took  a  flying  leap  from  the 
back  of  the  former  to  the  latter. 

The  daring  bound  was  executed  with  wonderful  dexterity,  and  he  landed  with 
his  legs  astride  of  the  bird,  which  no  doubt  was  never  so  amazed  in  all  his  life. 

Feeling  that  he  must  retain  his  seat  at  every  hazard,  the  youth  dropped  his  rifle, 
threw  both  arms  around  the  neck  of  his  steed  and  held  on  for  life. 

It  is  hard  to  imagine  the  sensations  of  the  pony,  which  witnessed  the  action  of 
his  master,  but  probably  he  was  disgusted,  for  he  emitted  a  snort,  and,  trotting  after 
the  couple  a  few  paces,  flung  up  his  head  with  another  whinny,  and  galloped  toward 
Jack  and  Bob  and  the  rest  of  the  ostriches. 

Dick  was  no  more  than  fairly  in  his  seat,  with  his  arms  about  the  neck  of  the 
bird,  when  he  realized  what  he  had  done,  though  his  whole  body  was  still  thrilled 
by  the.  excitement  of  the  novel  ride. 

The  ostrich  was  heading  in  the  opposite  direction  from  that  taken  by  his  com- 
panions, and,  terrified  by  his  burden,  he  struck  a  pace  greater  than  he  had  yet 
shown,  and  fully  the  equal  of  that  of  the  leader  who  had  met  his  fate  a  moment  before. 

"I  wonder  how  long  he  will  keep  this  up,"  reflected  Dick,  when  he  was  able  to 
look  about  him,  and  saw  that  he  was  swiftly  nearing  the  northern  outlet  of  the 
valley;  "if  he  don't  give  out,  he  will  land  me  in  the  Congo  State,  where  I  can  join 
Stanley,  if  we  ain't  stopped  by  the  mountains  and  rivers  in  the  way." 

Now  an  ostrich  cannot  run  forever,  though  he  possesses  great  endurance,  and, 
no  doubt,  Dick's  steed  would  be  compelled,  in  time,  to  drop  to  a  slower  pace,  which 
would  allow  the  lad  to  leap  to  the  ground  without  danger  from  the  fall;  but,  in  that 
event,  it  is  more  than  probable  the  bird  would  have  attacked  and  killed  him,  before 
he  could  bring  him  down  with  his  revolver. 

But  the  conclusion  of  this  adventure  was  more  startling  than  Dick  Brownell 
dreamed. 


CHAPTER  XL 

A  WONDERFUL  PERFORMANCE. 

F  you  have  ever  enjoyed  the  thrilling  sensation  of  sitting  on  a  locomotive  engine, 
and  thundering  across  the  country,  at  the  rate  of  a  mile  a  minute,  you  can 
understand  the  emotions  of  Dick  Brownell,  when  seated  astride  the  front  of 
the  ostrich,  that  was  careering  across  the  plain  at  such  a  tremendous  rate.  I  do  not 
mean  to  say  that  its  speed  equaled  that  of  the  engine,  for  no  animal  lives  that  can 
hold  its  own  with  the  iron  horse,  but  it  seemed  as  great,  for  the  smoothness  of  the 
Wonderful  machine  far  surpasses  that  of  any  living  creature's  gait. 

The  wind  swept  by  the  face  of  the  lad  in  a  gale,  and  he  dared  not  release  his 
grasp,  through  fear  of  losing  his  hold,  and  going  to  the  earth  with  a  violence  that 
would  have  broken  his  neck. 

The  only  thing  possible  to  do  was  to  hold  on  until  the  ostrich  exhausted  himself, 
then  to  take  a  flying  leap,  and,  in  case  of  an  attack  by  the  bird,  to  defend  himself 
with  his  revolver. 

Dick  had  hardly  reached  this  decision,  when  he  saw  a  man  standing  at  one  side 
of  the  opening  of  the  valley  through  which  his  winged  steed  was  carrying  him. 

A  second  glance  showed  that  it  was  Pongo,  the  Bushman,  who  must  have  come 
from  camp  to  observe  what  the  horsemen  were  doing.  He  seemed  to  be  transfixed 
with  wonder  at  the  sight  of  a  lad  riding  a  terrified  ostrich. 

Dick  uttered  a  shout,  and  saw  Pongo  trot  briskly  down  the  slope,  as  though  he 
intended  to  head  off  the  bird,  but  that  could  not  have  been  his  purpose,  for  his  gait 
was  not  rapid,  and  he  was  too  far  off.  The  native  did  not  speak,  but,  when  a  hun- 
dred yards  separated  him  from  the  lad,  he  stopped  suddenly  and  faced  partly  away 
from  him.  As  he  took  this  singular  position,  Dick  observed  a  sudden  sweep  of  his 
right  arm,  as  though  he  had  struck  a  violent  blow  at  some  object  behind  him.  A 
second  or  two  later,  came  an  indescribable  whizz  and  zip-like  sound,  and  he  knew 
that  something  extroardinary  had  taken  place.  With  an  amazement  beyond 
description,  he  saw  the  next  instant  that  the  ostrich  was  as  completely  decapitated 
as  if  his  neck  had  been  held  beneath  the  descending  blade  of  a  guillotine  ! 

A  glimpse  of  an  odd-shaped  implement  whirling  end  over  end  at  one  side  of  the 
line  of  flight,  the  head  itself  having  vanished  under  the  feet  of  its  owner,  told  the 
story. 

The  Bushman  had  hurled  his  boomerang,  with  such  marvelous  precision  that  it 
clipped  off  the  head  of  the  ostrich  as  smoothly  as  the  sword  of  a  Crusader  ever  clove, 
at  a  single  blow,  the  neck  of  a  Saracen. 

Now,  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  even  so  stupid  a  creature  as  the  African 
ostrich  can  make  out  very  well  without  its  head,  even  though  that  head  contains 

61 


A   WONDERFUL   PERFORMANCE. 


but  a  modicum  of  brains.  The  bird's 
pace  suddenly  slackened,  became  wabbly, 
and  then  down  it  went,  just  as  Dick  was 
able,  in  a  slight  degree,  to  prepare  for 
the  shock. 

With  the  extaordinary  advantage  given 
him,  the  youth  went  over  on  the  plain, 
very  much  as  many  of  you  have  taken  a 
header  from  your  bicycles  when  indulging 
in  a  spin  over  a  country  road. 


By  the  time  Dick  had  climbed  to  his  feet, 
Pongo  was  at  his  side,  his  sallow  face  show- 
ing  the   solicitude   he    felt.      His   counten- 
ance  lighted    up    when  he   saw  that  Dick 


7O  A   WONDERFUL    PERFORMANCE. 

was  not  seriously  injured,  while  Jack  Harvey  and  Bob  Marshall,  who  had  re- 
mounted their  ponies,  the  lad  having  gathered  up  the  gun  and  horse  of  his  cousin 
on  the  way,  galloped  up,  relieved  beyond  measure  to  find  how  well  the  whole  party 
had  escaped  the  serious  peril  that  threatened  them. 

Mutual  congratulations  followed,  and  Pongo  fairly  blushed  at  the  compliments 
of  his  deftness  in  throwing  the  singular  Australian  weapon.  The  modest  fellow 
trotted  some  distance  away  to  recover  the  boomerang,  which  he  valued  too  highly 
to  lose. 

"It's  my  opinion,"  remarked  the  Texan,  when  the  native  returned,  "that  we've 
all  got  a  better  opinion  of  the  confounded  ostrich  than  ever  before.  I  was  never 
yanked  out  of  the  saddle  till  now,  though  I  came  pretty  near  it  once." 

"  When  was  that  ?  "  asked  Bob,  who,  like  his  cousin,  was  always  interested  in 
the  reminiscences  of  the  Texan. 

"  The  time  I  was  out  with  General  Crook  after  Geronimo  and  his  murderers. 
One  moonlight  night,  when  I  was  scouting  in  the  Mogollon  Mountains,  an  Apache 
whirled  a  lasso  over  my  head  and  had  me  half  out  of  the  stirrups,  before  I  could 
cut  the  rope  and  let  moonlight  through  him  with  my  Winchester." 

"The  ostrich  beat  the  Apache,"  remarked  Bob,  with  a  smile. 

"You  may  well  say  that :  it  was  lucky  I  hadn't  on  my  Sunday  clothes,  for  they 
would  have  been  ruined,  though  I  settled  with  him  for  the  way  he  used  me." 

"You  seem  to  have  had  your  hands  full,"  remarked  Dick,  looking  at  his  cousin. 

"  Yes  ;  my  customer  let  me  have  a  kick  that  a  mule  would  envy ;  if  it  hadn't  been 
for  my  gun,  that  parried  the  blow,  he  would  have  staved  my  breast  in." 

"  Never  forget,  ostrich  kick  M/.rway,"  said  Pongo,  striking  forward  with  his  foot; 
"  don't  get  before  him." 

"  I  don't  think  I'm  ever  likely  to  forget  it,"  replied  Bob,  rubbing  his  shoulder  ; 
"  the  fact  of  it  is  I  knew  it  before,  for  one  day,  last  summer,  when  Mr.  Barnum  was 
telling  me  something  about  his  largest  ostrich,  the  fellow  kicked  at  us  in  the  same 
way,  and  Mr.  Barnum  referred  to  the  peculiarity." 

While  this  conversation  was  under  way,  our  friends  had  adjusted  themselves  in 
their  saddles,  and  "  taken  an  account  of  stock,"  so  to  speak,  while  Pongo  stood 
near,  ready  to  accompany  them  to  camp. 

But  the  horsemen  noticed  that  he  was  gazing  off  over  the  plain  as  though  he 
saw  an  object  which  interested  him. 

Peering  in  the  same  direction,  all  observed  something  whose  nature  neither  of 
the  three  could  determine.  It  resembled  a  curiously  formed  animal,  approaching 
at  a  moderate  gait,  evidently  with  th'e  purpose  of  joining  them. 

"  What  in  the  name  of  creation  is  it  any  way  ?  "  asked  Jack,  who,  shading  his 
eyes  with  his  hand,  looked  long  and  earnestly  at  the  remarkable  creature. 

"  I  can't  guess,"  replied  Dick,  who,  like  Bob,  was  gazing  across  the  plain,  which 
was  quite  sandy,  at  a  distance  of  less  than  a  mile.  "  It  looks  like  an  animal  with  a 
humped  back  that  is  walking  on  its  hind  legs." 

It  was  evident,  from  the  peculiar  smile  on  the  face  of  the  Bushman,  that  he  pene- 


A    WONDERFUL    PERFORMANCE.  Jl 

trated  the  mystery,  though  he  chose  to  wait  the  few  minutes  before  it  would  become 
clear  to  his  comrades. 

Suddenly  the  horsemen  broke  into  hearty  laughter,  and  well  they  might. 

Diedrick,  the  Hottentot,  was  the  only  African  belonging  to  the  expedition  who 
sported  the  European  luxury  of  trousers.  He  had  received  a  present  of  a  pair  of 
coarse  canvas  ones  from  Mr.  Godkin,  who  saw  the  longing  looks  he  cast  upon  them 
while  at  Petermaritzburg. 

Diedrick  was  as  proud  as  a  child  over  his  present  and  wore  them  continually. 
He  had  left  the  camp  that  morning  earlier  than  the  horsemen,  unnoticed  by  them. 
He  had  been  born  and  reared  in  the  home  of  the  ostrich,  and  the  signs  which  he  saw 
the  previous  day  told  him  the  birds  were  in  the  vicinity,  even  though,  unlike  the 
Texan,  he  had  not  been  able  to  catch  sight  of  any  one  of  them. 

When  he  departed,  it  was  not  to  hunt  ostriches,  but  their  eggs,  of  which  he  was 
very  fond. 

I  have  expressed  a  poor  opinion  of  the  intelligence  of  the  ostrich :  let  me  give 
you  another  illustration. 

When  a  Bushman  discovers  one  of  their  nests  he  steals  all  the  eggs  but  one  or 
two,  taking  care  to  leave  no  other  evidence  of  his  visit.  Even  though,  when  the 
mother  went  off  for  a  time,  she  left  a  dozen,  she  has  not  enough  sense  to  compre- 
hend that  nearly  all  have  been  abstracted,  but  resumes  laying,  only  to  have  her  nest 
depleted  by  regular  visits  from  the  Bushman,  who  watches  for  her  departure. 

The  native  keeps  this  up  for  weeks  and  months,  and  the  stupid  bird  continues 
laying  from  June  to  October,  never  suspecting  that  all  the  time  she  is  steadily  con- 
tributing to  the  support  of  a  thieving  Bushman  and  his  family. 

While  the  hunters  were  having  their  own  sport  with  the  ostriches,  Diedrick  was 
despoiling  a  nest  that  he  found  without  difficulty.  In  it  were  more  than  a  score  of 
eggs,  which  he  resolved  to  take  into  camp. 

But  how  to  carry  them  was  the  question.  A  single  one  is  considered  the 
equivalent  of  two  dozen  ordinary  hen's  eggs,  so  you  can  easily  see  that  the  task  was 
considerable. 

But  Diedrick  was  equal  to  the  emergency.  In  a  twinkling,  he  had  doffed  his 
beloved  trousers,  and,  tying  the  bottom  of  the  legs  in  a  knot,  he  deposited  the 
plunder  within,  the  space  required  being  all  that  could  be  spared  in  the  legs  and 
some  of  the  portion  above  the  bifurcation  of  the  garments. 

Then,  slinging  his  odd  load  over  his  shoulders,  he  started  back.  Catching  sight 
of  the  horsemen,  he  changed  his  course  so  as  to  join  them,  when,  as  I  have  told 
you,  he  was  received  with  much  merriment,  which  was  increased  by  the  solemnity  of 
the  Hottentot's  visage.  He  had  never  been  known  to  smile,  and  seemed  to  be 
mystified  by  the  high  spirits  of  his  companions. 

But  he  was  complimented  on  his  achievement,  and  the  party  set  out  on  their  re- 
turn to  camp.  When  they  arrived,  their  pleasure  was  heightened  by  learning  from 
Mr.  Godkin  that  the  wounded  Orak  was  much  better,  and,  in  all  probability,  would 
recover  in  a  brief  while. 


A   WONDERFUL    PERFORMANCE. 


' 


The  ostrich,  when  full  grown,  is  eight  or  nine  feet  tall,  and  I  have  known  some 
to  weigh  between  three  and  four  hundred  pounds.  Its  only  weapon  of  defense  is 

its  powerful  legs,  about  which  I  have  al- 
ready told  you.  Its  eye-sight  is  very  keen, 
and  its  elevated  head  gives  it  a  wide  range 
of  vision. 

The  ms-.'.e  is  of  a  glossy  black  color, 
with  the  exception  of  the  large  plumes  of 
the  wing-feathers,  which  are  a  pure,  rich 
white.  These  are  the  chief  objects  of 
ostrich  hunting. 

In    the   female,   the    feathers   are  of  a 


grayish  brown,  fringed  here  and  there 
with  white.  The  cry  of  the  bird  is  coarse 
and  gruff,  its  legs  are  strongly  jointed, 
and  its  hide  is  capable  of  being  tanned 
into  strong  leather. 

The  nest  of  the  ostrich  is  of  the  sim- 
plest description,  consisting  of  a  rude 
cavity  in  the  sand,  five  or  six  feet  wide 
and  twenty  inches  deep.  The  eggs  are 
packed  on  end,  so  as  to  economize  space, 
as  many  as  fifty  having  been  found  in  a 
single  nest.  These  are  the  product  of  several  birds,  which  take  turns  in  sitting 


HOTTEXTOT    IXGEXUITY. 


A   WONDERFUL    PERFORMANCE. 


73 


upon  them,  the  male  standing  guard  at  night,  to  fight  off  the  jackals,  which  are 
among  its  numerous  enemies.  The  average  weight  of  an  egg  is  about  three  pounds, 
and,  as  I  have  said,  it  is  con-  l  _._  t 

sidered  the  equivalent  of  two 
dozen  hen's  eggs. 

The  young,  as  soon  as  they 
emerge  from  the  shell,  are  about 
the  size  of  pullets,  and  are  able 
at  once  to  follow  their  parents. 
They  quickly  acquire  an  aston- 
ishing capacity  for  speed,  pre- 
vious to  which,  if  frightened, 
they  will  squat  down  and  re- 
main immovable  until  the  dan- 
ger is  past.  At  such  times,  the 
parent  bird  having  them  in 
charge  sometimes  displays  un- 
expected cunning,  by  feigning 
lameness,  with  a  view  to  draw- 
ing pursuit  to  himself  or  herself 
and  away  from  the  helpless 
ones. 

The  ostrich  is  easily  domesti- 
cated, and  I  am  sure  you  have 
heard  of  the  attempts  in  that 
direction  in  this  country.  In 
the  southern  part  of  Africa  are 
many  ostrich  farms,  whose  own- 
ers have  done  well  in  rearing 
the  birds  and  selling  their 
plumes. 

Their  voracity  is  not  their 
least  remarkable  characteristic. 
Gravel,  stones  metal  keys, 
knives,  and,  I  have  been  told, 
horse  shoes,  have  sometimes 
formed  a  few  of  their  articles 
of  diet. 

It  is  the  feathers  of  the  bird 
that  constitute  its  chief  value.  THE  RHEA  OR  AMERICAN  OSTRICH. 

It  requires  seventy  of  these  to  weigh  a  pound,  and,  since  twenty  or  twenty-five 
marketable  feathers  is  the  largest  number  that  can  be  plucked  from  a  single 
ostrich,  you  will  appreciate  the  difficulty  of  supplying  the  demand  for  these  luxuries. 


74  A   WONDERFUL   PERFORMANCE. 

But  the  price  (from  ten  to  fifty  dollars  a  pound)  is  enough  to  spur  the  native 
of  Damara  or  Bechuana  to  his  utmost  to  procure  them. 

March  and  April  is  the  principal  feather  season,  the  birds  having  then  recovered 
from  their  moult,  while  their  plumage  is  vigorous  and  elastic.  In  order  to  preserve 
their  value,  they  are  plucked  from  the  ostrich,  immediately  after  it  is  brought  down 
by  the  artifice  already  described,  and  while  the  body  is  still  warm. 

Despite  the  speed  of  the  bird,  it  is  so  worn  out  and  spiritless  on  the  approach 
of  the  rainy  season  that  a  single  horseman  can  easily  ride  it  down.  Its  energy  is 
insufficient  for  it  to  fight,  and  it  often  stands  still  until  brained  by  the  native's 
shambok  or  knobby  stick. 

The  rhea,  or  American  ostrich,  is  a  native  of  South  America.  Three  species  are 
known,  and  the  male  is  sometimes  kind  enough  to  arrange  the  eggs  and  perform 
the  whole  duties  of  incubation.  Their  favorite  home  is  along  the  La  Plata  River, 
where  they  are  generally  seen  in  pairs,  though  sometimes  associating  in  flocks. 
They  are  timid  and  fleet-footed,  but,  when  hunted,  show  little  more  intelligence  than 
their  African  relatives,  running  aimlessly  in  different  directions  until  the  natives 
bring  them  down  with  their  "bolas,"  which  consist  of  a  cord  with  a  ball  at  the  end, 
which  is  thrown  at  the  bird,  and  coils  around  its  neck  and  legs,  so  that  it  stumbles 
to  the  ground. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

THE  WILD  MEN. 

DISAPPOINTMENT  awaited  our  friends  on  reaching  camp.  The  eggs 
captured  by  Diedrick  had  been  sat  upon  so  long  by  the  parent  birds  that 
they  were  unpalatable.  Diedrick  and  Pongo,  however,  found  several  of  the 
latest  laid,  that  were  acceptable  to  themselves  and  the  other  natives.  The  best  of 
these  were  cleverly  prepared  for  the  suffering  Orak,  who  relished  them  greatly. 

But  the  suspicion  of  staleness  ruins  an  egg  for  eating  purposes  with  most  of  us 
and  not  one  of  the  Americans  would  so  much  as  taste  them.  The  eggs  of  the 
ostrich  are  naturally  strong,  and,  even  had  these  been  perfectly  fresh,  I  doubt 
whether  our  friends  would  have  partaken  of  them.  Several  of  the  shells  were 
preserved  for  use  as  cups. 

By  the  time  the  eggs  were  disposed  of,  it  was  near  noon,  and,  although  Mr 
Godkin  deemed  it  safe  to  move  Orak,  yet  he  decided  to  adhere  to  his  first  resolu 
tion  of  remaining  where  they  were  until  the  following  day.     The  rest  thus  secured 
was  as  grateful  to  the  animals  as  the  men.     The  natives  showed  their  appreciation 
of  the  indulgence  by  climbing  into  the  wagons  and  spending  most  of  the  hours  in 
sleep,  of  which  it  seemed  impossible  for  them  to  secure  a  surfeit. 

The  oxen  and  horses  were  so  well  trained,  that,  when  turned  out  to  graze,  they 
never  wandered  off.  At  night,  of  course,  all  were  gathered  close  to  camp,  where 
their  owners  could  defend  them  against  wild  beasts. 

The  temperature  was  oppressive  during  the  middle  of  the  day,  at  which  time 
the  train  often  paused  for  several  hours'  rest.  Had  the  season  been  the  hot  one, 
it  would  have  been  almost  intolerable. 

The  situation  of  the  camp  was  such  that  an  extended  view  was  afforded  north 
and  south,  but  it  was  shortened  to  the  westward  on  account  of  the  hills  beyond 
which  occurred  the  encounter  with  the  ostriches.  To  the  east,  also,  it  was  inter- 
fered with  by  the  bank  of  the  stream,  which  rose  to  a  height  of  a  couple  ot  rods 
before  sloping  down  to  the  water. 

Mr.  Godkin,  who  took  in  all  the  points  of  any  business  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
referred  to  this  curtailment  of  their  vision  as  a  disadvantage. 

"We  are  in  the  land  of  the  Bechuanas  and  Bushmen, who  are  as  treacherous  as 
the  American  Indian,"  said  he  in  explanation;  "and  we  must  keep  a  lookout  for  a 
visit  from  them." 

"What  reason  have  you  to  fear  that?"  asked  Jack  Harvey,  while  Bob  and  Dick 
were  on  the  alert. 

"  Pongo  saw  signs,  when  he  went  out  to  watch  your  sport  with  the  ostriches; 
the  fact  is,"  added  the  director,  "  I  suspect  that  was  his  purpose,  instead  of  taking 
a  hand  in  clipping  off  the  heads  of  camel  birds." 

75 


bo 

a 

a. 


THE    WILD    MEN.  77 

The  listeners  looked  Inquiringly  at  the  Bushman,  but,  instead  of  replying,  he 
walked  over  to  the  wagon  where  Orak  was  lying.  The  fellow  had  many  peculiarities, 
and  one  of  them  was,  at  times,  a  dislike  to  exchange  words  with  his  employers. 

"What  did  he  tell  you?"  asked  Bob  Marshall. 

"Nothing,  except  that  when  he  stopped  on  the  slope  of  the  hill,  he  learned  that 
a  large  party  of  mounted  Bushmen  were  hovering  in  the  neighborhood.  He  gave 
no  particulars,  for  I  don't  suppose  he  had  much  more  to  tell." 

"That's  curious,"  remarked  the  cowboy,  "for  I  took  a  good  look  'round  the 
country  for  more  game,  and  I  didn't  catch  a  glimpse  of  any  two  or  four-legged 
creatures." 

"There's  nothing  strange  in  that,  for,  if  you  and  Pongo  were  on  the  plains  of 
New  Mexico  or  Arizona,  it  would  beyvu,  and  not  he,  who  would  be  the  first  to  dis- 
cover the  approach  of  danger." 

Jack,  however,  was  not  prepared  to  admit  that  his  skill  was  any  the  less  because 
he  happened  to  be  in  the  Dark  Continent,  instead  of  galloping  over  the  prairies  of 
his  own  glorious  land. 

But  the  declaration  of  the  director  of  the  expedition  received  a  striking  confirma- 
tion before  the  Texan  could  say  much  in  the  way  of  protest. 

Naturally,  while  the  Americans  sat  on  the  ground,  discussing  the  situation, 
their  eyes  turned  toward  the  range  of  hills  where  Pongo  had  detected  signs  of 
the  presence  of  his  warlike  countrymen.  Along  the  crest  of  the  nearest  range, 
fully  a  score  and  a  half  of  Bushmen  suddenly  appeared,  rising  to  view  as  simul- 
taneously as  if  they  formed  a  line  of  trained  cavalry  that  had  come  up  the  slope 
on  a  walk. 

Every  one  of  the  hunters  seemed  to  detect  them  at  the  same  moment,  several 
expressions  of  surprise  being  uttered.  All,  with  the  exception  of  Orak,  instantly 
sprang  to  their  feet  and  stared  wonderingly  at  the  savage  horsemen. 

The  latter  formed  a  picturesque  sight.  Their  animals  were  small  and  of  a  dark 
color,  their  riders  being  naked,  with  the  exception  of  a  kind  of  breech-cloth  of 
sheep-skin.  Their  heads  looked  large,  because  of  the  spread  of  bushy  wool  above, 
and  the  only  armament  of  half  of  them  was  a  single  long  spear,  while  the  rest 
carried  bows  and  arrows.  The  bows  of  the  Bushmen  are  small,  and  they  carry  their 
arrows  thrust  in  their  head-dress,  from  which  they  can  snatch  and  fire  them  so 
rapidly  that  one  of  the  insignificant  warriors  often  has  two  or  three  missiles  in  the 
air  at  the  same  time. 

These  did  not  seem  to  be  formidable  weapons,  but,  when  you  learn  that  each 
spear  and  arrow  was  tipped  with  deadly  poison,  you  will  understand  the  dread  in 
which  they  are  held  by  their  enemies. 

The  bows  were  short  and  sturdy,  but  the  Bushmen  who  use  them  do  so  with 
surprising  accuracy,  while  those  who  throw  the  javelins  display  a  skill  hardly  less 
than  that  of  the  warriors  of  antiquity. 

Certainly  there  was  no  such  emotion  as  fear  among  the  American  members  of 
the  hunting  party  when  they  surveyed  the  row  of  native  horsemen  on  the  crest  of 


78  THE    WILD    MEN. 

the  hill.     Fully  armed  as  were  the  whites,  with  their  modern,  improved  weapons, 
they  could  afford  to  despise  a  native  force  three  times  as  numerous. 

"  I  wish  the  ragamuffins  would  attack  us,"  said  the  Texan,  who,  to  show  his 
contempt  for  the  party,  deliberately  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  and  fired  at  the 
group. 

The  distance  was  too  great  to  do  any  execution,  and  it  is  not  probable  the  Bush-, 
men  knew  the  meaning  of  the  demonstration,  for  they  kept  their  places,  moving 
their  heads  and  arms  in  a  way  that  showed  they  were  holding  a  vigorous  conver- 
sation, of  which,  no  doubt,  the  hunting  party  was  the  subject. 

All  at  once,  the  war  party  moved  forward  down  the  slope  in  the  direction  of  the 
camp.  Their  horses  walked  slowly,  and  Mr.  Godkin,  who  brought  his  binocular  to 
his  eyes,  said  that  there  was  not  the  most  primitive  bridle  or  saddle  in  the  whole  party. 
The  Bushmen  needed  nothing  of  the  kind  to  hold  perfect  control  of  their  steeds. 

"  I  wonder  whether  they  mean  to  attack,"  was  the  inquiring  remark  of  Bob 
Marshall,  as  he  looked  at  Mr.  Godkin,  who  still  held  his  glasses  before  him. 

"  They  may,  but  not  in  that  shape.  They  know  better  than  to  charge  upon  the 
camp,  where  they  are  sure  to  receive  a  welcome  that  will  tumble  half  to  the  ground 
before  they  can  come  within  striking  distance.  Nevertheless,  we  will  be  ready  for 
them." 

Little  was  needed  in  the  way  of  preparation.  The  natives  showed  some  trepi- 
dation, and,  with  the  exception  of  Pongo  and  Diedrick,  wanted  to  crawl  into  the 
wagons,  after  the  manner  of  a  child  who  draws  the  bed-clothes  over  his  head  when 
scared. 

A  sharp  sentence,  however,  from  Mr.  Godkin,  prevented  any  such  exhibition  of 
cowardice,  which  was  likely  to  encourage  the  Bushmen  to  attack  the  camp.  He 
ordered  them  to  be  ready  with  their  javelins  to  help  repel  an  assault,  while  Mr. 
Godkin  and  the  other  whites  looked  to  their  own  weapons  to  make  sure  they  were 
in  shape  for  any  emergency.  Pongo  and  Diedrick,  who  possessed  some  experience 
in  the  use  of  fire-arms,  would  have  done  good  service  with  the  shot-guns  in  case  of 
a  fight. 

The  Bushmen  advanced  with  a  slow  regularity  that  aroused  the  admiration  of 
the  spectators.  The  thirty-odd  kept  side  by  side,  the  ponies  stepping  with  an  even- 
ness that  was  not  without  a  certain  element  of  majesty. 

While  the  hunters,  including  Pongo,  were  wondering  as  to  the  cause  of  this 
singular  demonstration,  the  wild  men  halted. 

They  were  within  about  two  hundred  yards,  and  stood  absolutely  motionless  for 
a  full  minute,  during  which  the  curious  sounds  meant  for  words  could  be  plainly 
heard  by  the  hunters,  who  disdained  to  seek  shelter  against  such  a  force. 

The  language  of  the  Hottentots  sounds  like  the  clucking  of  hens  more  than  any- 
thing else,  and  there  is  some  resemblance  between  it  and  that  of  the  Bushmen. 

It  was  easy  to  single  out  the  leader  of  the  party,  for  he  was  not  only  of  larger 
stature  than  the  others,  but  showed,  by  his  manner,  that  he  controlled  them.  While 
they  held  their  places  in  a  mathematical  line,  he  rode  several  paces  in  front,  and 


THE    WILD    MEN.  79 

began  swaying  his  arms  in  such  a  peculiar  way  that  the  whites  looked  to  Pongo  for 
an  explanation. 

The  friendly  Bushman,  however,  said  nothing,  but,  standing  erect  beside  his 
friends,  looked  fixedly  at  the  chief,  as  if  he  was  also  at  a  loss  to  interpret  the 
gestures. 

"  I  believe  he  wants  to  hold  a  parley  with  us,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  lowering 
his  glass  and  looking  also  at  Pongo,  as  if  he  meant  him  to  understand  that  he  must 
give  an  opinion. 

"Yes,  that  is  it,"  replied  the  native. 

"Why  doesn't  he  speak?" 

"  He  don't  know  we  understand  him  ;  he  don't  know  me  Bushman,  like  him." 

"Call  to  him  in  your  native  tongue,  and  ask  him  what  he  wants." 

Pongo  did  so,  to  the  evident  astonishment  of  his  fellow-countrymen,  who  had  no 
suspicion  that  any  member  of  the  company  could  talk  by  means  of  words  with  them. 

Pongo  was  right;  the  leader  of  the  Bushmen  desired  to  hold  converse,  though  it 
is  hard  to  guess  how  he  expected  it  to  be  done  without  an  interpreter. 

"  Let  him  say  what  he  has  to  say,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin. 

"  He  asks  me  to  go  out,  so  that  me  and  him  talk  alone." 

"You  don't  think  of  running  such  a  risk,  Pongo?"  asked  the  director. 

"  Yes,  me  do  it,"  was  the  startling  reply. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE  HUMAN  BUCKLER. 

NOTHER  characteristic  of  Pongo,  the  Bushman,  was  his  obstinacy.  Ordin- 
arily he  was  quite  amenable  to  discipline,  but  when  he  set  his  mind  upon 
some  course,  it  was  useless  to  try  to  change  it. 

The  fact  that  he  belonged  to  the  same  tribe  with  the  wild  men  may  have  been 
some  reason  why  he  decided  to  gratify  the  wish  of  the  chieftain,  and  there  was  a 
possibility  that  such  a  meeting  would  accrue  to  the  benefit  of  the  hunting  party, 
though  Mr.  Godkin  did  not  believe  it. 

"Go  ahead,"  said  he  in  his  quiet  way,  "and  pay  the  penalty  with  your  life." 

Pongo  uttered  no  reply,  but  went  forward,  as  calmly  as  he  would  have  gone  to 
the  edge  of  the  stream,  to  help  himself  to  a  drink  of  water,  by  tossing  it  from  the 
palm  of  his  hand  to  his  mouth,  a  foot  away,  in  a  style  which  no  white  man  can  imitate. 

"You  can  make  up  your  mind  there's  going  to  be  trouble,"  said  Jack  Harvey  in 
a  low  voice;  "  let's  be  ready  to  give  him  help  when  he  needs  it." 

The  distance  was  not  too  great  for  the  Texan  to  bring  the  chieftain  from  his 
pony,  in  case  of  treachery,  though  the  savage  might  manage  to  place  Pongo  in  peril 
from  the  same  shot  intended  to  bring  him  down. 

The  chief  carried  a  long  spear  instead  of  bow  and  arrows,  and  the  moment  he 
saw  one  of  his  countrymen  advancing,  he  settled  down  into  a  stationary  position  to 
await  his  approach. 

The  spectators  on  both  sides  fixed  their  attention  upon  the  couple,  or  rather 
upon  Pongo,  who,  by  his  own  act,  had  become  the  object  of  solicitous  interest. 

Our  friends  felt  that,  whatever  the  issue  of  the  extraordinary  interview,  it  de- 
volved upon  Jack  Harvey  to  take  care  of  their  native  servant  in  his  own  peculiar 
way.  His  skill  in  marksmanship  fitted  him  pre-eminently  for  the  task. 

Meanwhile,  Pongo  walked  out  on  the  plain  with  the  same  even  step  he  had 
shown  at  first.  He  left  his  spear  behind  him,  but  in  the  girdle  at  his  waist  was 
thrust  a  single  boomerang, —  the  same  with  which  he  had  decapitated  the  running 
ostrich.  His  deftness  in  handling  that  peculiar  weapon  made  it  as  dangerous  at 
short  distances  as  when  separated  a  long  way  from  his  enemy  or  intended  victim. 

The  course  of  Pongo  was  foolhardy  from  the  beginning,  and  it  must  have  been 
that  the  sagacious  fellow  was  deceived  by  the  protestations  of  the  leader,  whom  he 
had  met  before  and  who  knew  him  well. 

Understanding,  as  he  did,  that  the  Texan  was  covering  him  with  his  rifle,  and 
that  he  would  not  hesitate  to  shoot  the  savage  from  his  horse,  on  the  first  sign  of 
treachery  (and  possibly  before),  Pongo  made  known  that  fact,  while  yet  a  full  rod 
from  the  Bushman. 

80 


AN  EFFECTIVE  SHIELD. — Page  82. 


Si 


82  THE    HUMAN    BUCKLER. 

It  would  seem  that  this  ought  to  have  been  sufficient  to  defeat  any  scheme  of 
betrayal,  but,  unfortunately,  the  only  purpose  it  served  was  to  place  the  horseman  on 
his  guard  against  the  single  real  danger  that  threatened  him. 

He  was  unusually  large  and  powerful  for  a  native,  being  fully  six  inches  taller 
than  Pongo,  who  was  of  the  ordinary  size. 

It  may  be  interesting  for  you  to  know  that,  until  lately,  there  were  only  two 
known  races  with  a  mean  height  below  five  feet, —  the  Negritor,  of  the  Andaman 
Islands,  and  the  Bushmen  of  South  Africa.  There  has  been  another  race  discov- 
ered, however,  which  is  still  smaller, —  the  Akkas,  of  the  Monbuttu  country,  Central 
Africa.  Emin  Pasha  obtained  two  of  the  skeletons,  and  Schweinfurth  discovered 
them  in  1870.  They  are  the  smallest  people  upon  earth,  their  height  being  less 
than  four  feet. 

The  party  of  Bushmen  which  confronted  our  friends  were,  on  the  whole,  above 
the  average  in  height,  the  leader  especially  being  almost  equal  to  a  Caucasian  in 
stature,  and,  therefore,  a  giant  among  his  own  people. 

When  several  paces  separated  the  friendly  African  from  the  savage,  a  misgiving 
came  over  him.  He  saw  he  had  committed  a  mistake  that  was  likely  to  cost  him 
his  life  ;  but  it  was  too  late  to  retreat.  If  he  should  turn  about,  and  dash  back 
toward  his  friends,  he  would  be  'filled  with  poisoned  javelins  and  arrows,  any  one 
of  which  was  sufficient  to  cause  death.  Nothing  remained,  therefore,  but  to  put 
the  best  face  possible  on  the  matter  and  suppress  all  evidence  of  distrust,  while 
taking  every  possible  precaution  against  the  peril  that  threatened  him. 

Within  two  minutes  after  the  meeting  of  Pongo  and  the  chief,  Jack  Harvey 
exclaimed  : 

"  By  gracious  !  Pongo  is  gone  !     The  scamp  has  outwitted  us  all !  " 

With  every  seeming  of  friendship,  his  ugly  countenance  made  still  uglier  by  a 
vast  grin,  the  chieftain  leaned  over  the  side  of  his  horse,  and  extended  his  hand  to 
his  fellow-countryman  after  the  most  approved  civilized  fashion. 

Our  friend  was  surprised,  knowing  that  his  people  are  not  addicted  to  that  style 
of  greeting  ;  but,  being  familiar  with  it  himself,  he  reached  up  his  right  hand,  with 
no  suspicion  of  the  real  meaning  of  the  salutation. 

The  fingers  of  the  chieftain  closed  about  those  of  the  footman  with  a  grip  like 
iron,  and,  in  a  twinkling,  Pongo  was  lifted  clear  off  the  ground  and  forced  upon  the 
back  of  the  pony,  directly  in  front  of  the  savage,  who  thus  made  a  shield  of  his 
body. 

Quick  as  was  the  Texan  to  catch  on  to  all  such  deviltry,  he  was  not  quick  enough 
to  prepare  Tor  this  daring  perfidy.  By  the  time  he  could  bring  his  Winchester  to 
his  shoulder,  the  whole  front  of  the  leader  was  covered  by  the  form  of  Pongo,  who 
did  not  struggle,  knowing  that  instant  death  would  follow  any  such  act  on  his  part. 

"  Never  mind,"  muttered  Jack,  "  I'll  let  him  have  it  when  he  turns  with  his 
horse." 

But  he  didn't  turn  with  his  horse.  No  more  striking  proof  could  have  been 
given  of  his  control  over  the  animal,  for,  without  anything  bearing  the  slightest 


THE    HUMAN    BUCKLER.  83 

resemblance  to  a  rein,  and  by  the  mere  sound  of  his  voice,  he  caused  the  steed  to 
step  backward  keeping  his  head  turned  toward  the  hunters,  and  thus  enabling  the 
chief  to  guard  himself  effectively  with  his  human  buckler. 

Jack  Harvey  uttered  an  expression  too  forcible  for  me  to  record. 

"  If  the  grinning  imp  would  only  show  his  head,  I'd  let  daylight  through  him, 
but  he's  too  cunning ;  well,  I  ain't  done  with  him  yet,"  he  added,  keeping  his  rifle 
at  his  shoulder,  and  on  the  watch  for  the  first  chance  to  get  in  his  work,  as  the 
expression  goes. 

The  steed  of  the  chieftain  retrograded  until  he  had  taken  his  place  among  the 
others.  Then,  at  a  word  from  him,  the  whole  party  wheeled  about  and  dashed 
toward  the  hills  whence  they  came. 

"I'll  be  hanged  if  I  can  stand  that!"  exclaimed  the  Texan,  with  the  old  thrill 
which  had  nerved  his  arm  many  a  time  on  the  South-western  prairies;  "I'll  make  it 
lively  for  them  if  I  can't  do  anything  more  !  " 

Leaping  to  where  his  saddled  and  bridled  mustang  was  standing,  he  vaulted  into 
the  seat,  and,  facing  the  Bushmen,  started  in  furious  pursuit  of  the  whole  party. 

"He  goes  to  his  death,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "but  I  cannot  desert  him." 

"  And  we  can't  desert  either  of  you,"  added  Bob  Marshall,  echoing  the  senti- 
ments of  his  cousin,  who  was  equally  prompt  in  making  a  break  for  his  pony. 

Jack  Harvey  did  not  expect  the  help  of  his  friends,  in  the  daring  effort  to  save 
Pongo,  nor  did  Mr.  Godkin,  in  his  chivalrous  essay  to  aid  the  Texan,  look  for  the  as- 
sistance of  the  youths;  but,  all  the  same,  it  was  given  as  eagerly  in  one  case  as  the 
other. 

Jack's  horse  was  the  only  one  that  was  ready  for  the  brush,  but  the  rest  were 
prepared  in  a  twinkling.  Before  the  Bushmen  had  passed  over  the  ridge,  with  Jack 
Harvey  close  behind,  the  other  three  were  stringing  after  them. 

Had  the  wild  men  divided  their  party,  and  sent  one  portion,  by  a  roundabout 
way,  to  the  camp,  they  would  have  had  little  trouble  in  destroying  every  native  left, 
and  driving  off  or  killing  the  stock. 

Mr.  Godkin  thought  of  this  danger,  but  he  felt  it  more  important  to  save  the  life 
of  the  Texan  than  to  stay  behind  to  defend  the  natives  and  the  property. 

Exasperated  as  was  Jack,  he  did  not  lose  his  presence  of  mind,  and  he  under- 
stood the  difficulties  that  confronted  him.  He  had  just  seen  an  evidence  of  the 
cunning  of  the  Bushmen,  and  he  meant  that,  whatever  took  place,  he  would  not  run 
into  such  a  trap  as  had  ensnared  Pongo. 

The  wild  men  went  over  the  hills  just  as  he  started  up  the  base.  He  saw  sev- 
eral glance  around  at  him,  and  the  instant  they  vanished,  he  changed  the  direction 
of  his  mustang,  so  that,  instead  of  coursing  to  the  top  where  the  Bushmen  expected 
him  to  appear,  he  reached  the  crest  more  than  a  hundred  yards  away. 

Not  only  that,  but  he  decreased  the  speed  of  his  pony,  so  as  to  be  prepared  for 
any  sudden  movement  on  the  part  of  his  enemy. 

Well,  indeed,  was  it  for  him  that  he  did  so. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

AFRICAN  VERSUS  AMERICAN. 

,  LL  three  of  the  Texan's  friends  had  their  gaze  fixed  on  him  the  moment  the 
Bushmen  vanished.  They  noted  the  abrupt  slackening  of  the  mustang's 
pace,  and  how,  before  attaining  the  top,  he  stopped  short,  while  Jack  rose 
in  his  stirrups  and  peered  over  uie  crest. 

The  moment  he  did  so,  his  friends  saw  him  duck  his  head,  and  caught  a  glimpse 
of  an  arrow  which  sped,  with  almost  invisible  swiftness,  over  the  back  of  the  mustang, 
apparently  cleaving  the  very  spot  where  the  sombrero  of  the  cowboy  had  been  but 
an  instant  before. 

Discharged  from  a  lower  point,  and  aimed  upward,  the  missile  shot  high  in 
air,  like  a  rocket,  the  youths  noticing  its  course,  as  it  curved  far  above  them,  turning 
and  falling  several  rods  beyond  where  they  had  also  slowed  their  steeds. 

It  seemed  as  if  it  had  been  driven  with  enough  force  to  pass  entirely  through 
the  body  of  a  man,  though  a  puncture  of  the  ?kin  would  have  been  all-sufficient 
to  cause  death. 

"I'm  afraid  Jack  has  undertaken  a  bigger  contract  than  he  can  carry  out,"  said 
Dick  Brownell,  as  he  and  his  companions  drew  their  horses  close  together  and  con- 
tinued their  cautious  advance. 

"  The  Bushmen  have  halted  in  the  valley  beyond,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  "  and 
are  waiting  for  him." 

"Why  don't  they  kill  Pongo  and  have  done  with  It?"  asked  Bob. 

"  They  may  prefer  to  keep  him  prisoner  awhile,  but  you  can  depend  upon  it, 
they  will  punish  him  for  joining  those  whom  they  look  upon  as  their  enemies." 

"I  don't  suppose  they  have  any  fear  of  losing  him — " 

"Look  !  "  interrupted  Dick. 

Jack  Harvey  had  given  the  spurs  to  his  mustang  and  was  going  over  the  hiH 
as  if  shot  from  a  catapult. 

We  all  despise  cowardice  in  any  one,  but  there  is  sometimes  equally  great  dan- 
ger in  over-confidence.  The  Bushman  leader,  after  galloping  beyond  sight  with 
his  prisoner,  and  surrounded  by  "his  own  warriors,  seemed  to  conclude  that  it  was  a 
work  of  superfluity  for  him  to  make  such  haste  to  get  beyond  reach  of  his  single 
pursuer. 

Hardly  had  the  first  elevation  been  placed  behind  them,  when,  at  a  single  word, 
the  entire  party  halted  and  wheeled  about,  so  as  to  face  the  rash  horseman  that  was 
dashing  so  ardently  in  pursuit. 

The  best  archer  of  the  company  took  his  place,  bow  and  arrow  ready,  to  launch 
a.  shaft  at  the  white  man  the  instant  he  came  in  sight,  for,  though  they  might  de- 

84 


AFRICAN   VERSUS    AMERICAN. 


spise  a  solitary  foe,  they  were  ready  to  use  any  treacherous  means  to  bring  about 
his  downfall. 

You  will  see,   therefore,   that   if  Jack  had  dashed  up  and  over   the  hill,  he 

would  have  been  met  by 
a  poisoned  missile,  which, 
with  all  his  dexterity,  he 
could  not  have  dodged. 

As  it  was,  his 
head  appeared 
at  a  totally  un- 
expected point. 
The  dusky  bow- 
man made  in- 
stant shift  of  aim, 


THE  POISONED  ARROW. 


and  was  so   quick,  indeed,  that  the  Texan  had   no  time   to  spare  in  giving  it 
room  to  pass. 

I  have  referred  to  the  quiescence  of  Pongo,  the  prisoner,  and  explained  the  reason, 


86  AFRICAN    VERSUS    AMERICAN. 

Had  he  been  alone  with  the  chieftain,  he  would  have  given  him  lusty  battle,  but, 
knowing  that  the  least  advantage  on  his  part,  over  his  much  more  powerful  country- 
man, would  be  met  by  an  attack  from  the  warriors,  he  was  only  prudent  in  refrain- 
ing from  anything  of  the  kind. 

He  knew  that  Jack  Harvey  was  trying  to  do  his  utmost  for  him,  and,  though  he 
did  not  see  how  any  possible  help  could  be  afforded,  yet  his  faith  in  the  American's 
amazing  prowess  was  so  deep  that  he  was  not  without  hope. 

The  Texan  was  astonished,  on  peering  over  the  hill,  immediately  after  the  shot, 
to  see  that  the  leader  had  actually  challenged  him  to  battle. 

His  warriors  were  drawn  up  in  line,  beyond  the  base  of  the  hill,  and  Pongo  was 
standing  motionless,  a  short  distance  in  front,  while  the  Bushman  was  riding  his 
horse  at  a  deliberate  walk,  to  meet  the  approaching  white  man. 

Need  I  tell  you  how  eagerly  Jack  Harvey  accepted  the  gauge  of  battle  thus 
thrown  down  ?  Could  he  have  been  assured  of  the  least  resemblance  to  a  fair 
contest,  nothing  would  have  delighted  him  more  than  to  engage  the  chieftain 
single-handed. 

He  was  none  the  less  ardent  because  he  knew  he  was  confronted  by  subtlety 
and  cunning,  but  he  must  needs  be  more  on  his  guard. 

The  Bushman  held  a  spear  in  his  hand,  that  being  the  only  weapon  he  wished, 
though  he  also  carried  a  curved  knife  at  his  waist,  the  handle,  of  elephant-ivory, 
plainly  showing. 

The  Texan  could  have  brought  him  down  with  his  Winchester,  or,  indeed,  with 
one  of  his  revolvers,  before  drawing  near  enough  for  the  savage  to  use  his  javelin, 
but  there  was  something  unfair  in  taking  such  an  advantage,  and  Jack  refused  it. 

In  fact,  it  was  not  the  chieftain  he  had  so  much  to  fear  as  the  warriors  behind 
him.  The  white  man  was  compelled  to  advance  so  far  that  he  must  be  dangerously 
close  to  the  horsemen,  who  would  be  quick  to  seize  every  possible  advantage. 

It  was  with  this  knowledge  that  Jack  strove  to  equalize,  to  a  slight  extent,  the 
chances  of  the  two,  by  bringing  his  mustang  down  to  the  slowest  possible  walk. 
Besides  inspiring  his  antagonist  with  the  suspicion  that  he  held  him  in  fear,  he 
hoped  it  would  draw  him  farther  from  his  supports. 

But  the  Bushman  was  shrewd,  and  probably  read  aright  the  purpose  of  his  foe, 
for  he,  too,  moderated  the  gait  of  his  steed,  until  to  have  made  it  less  would  have 
brought  his  animal  to  a  standstill. 

Before  the  moment  came  for  a  demonstration  on  the  part  of  either,  Jack  Harvey 
had  decided  what  to  do. 

"  If  that  confounded  spear  wasn't  poisoned,"  he  said  to  himself,  "I'd  close  in 
on  him  and  settle  up  this  business  in  the  style  of  one  of  our  Kansas  cyclones  — 
helloa!" 

A  slignt  twitch  of  the  Bushman's  right  hand  indicated  that  he  was  about  to  call 
his  javelin  into  play.  Possibly  it  was  merely  a  feint,  but  Jack  could  not  be  too 
careful. 

All  at  once,  and,  while  both  horses  were  slowly  approaching  each  other,  up  went 


AFRICAN    VERSUS    AMERICAN. 


the  dusky  arm,  and  the  javelin  was  poised  over  the 
shoulder  of  the  sinewy  Bushman.  Jack  dodged  his 
head,  apparently  as  if  in  a  panic,  and  the  pleased 
savage  grinned  with  pleasure. 

But,  rather  singularly,  this  time  it  was  a  feint 
on  the  part  of  both.  The  Bushman  did  not  mean  to 
throw  his  weapon,  and  Jack's  movement  was  only 
a  pretense  of  terror. 

Hardly  had  the  enormous  grin  bisected  the  face 
of  the  warrior,  when  he  observed  his  white  antago- 
nist circling  a  serpent-like  loop,  with  bewildering 
swiftness,  around  his  head. 

He  had  never  seen  a  weapon  of  that  kind,  and 

did  not  know  what  it 
meant.       He    learned 
right  away.      Flinging 
back  the   hand  which 
grasped     the     javelin, 
the    savage    pre- 
pared      himself 
with     incredible 
quickness  to  drive 


IN  COWBOY  STYLE. 


88  AFRICAN  VERSUS  AMERICAN. 

the  poisoned  missile  through  the  chest  of  the  Caucasian.  But,  on  the  point  of 
launching  the  spear,  the  upper  part  of  his  arms  was  griped  by  a  ring  of  fire  that 
seemed  burning  its  way  through  flesh  and  bone. 

Jack  Harvey  meant  to  coil  the  loop  about  the  neck  of  the  savage,  but  the  leveled 
shaft  interfered  to  that  extent  that  the  rope  enclosed  the  shoulders.  The  instant  it 
did  so,  it  was  jerked  taut  with  the  quickness  of  lightning. 

No  doubt  the  Bushman  was  accustomed  to  think  fast;  but,  before  he  could  grasp 
matters,  he  was  jerked  off  the  bare  back  of  his  steed,  sprawling  like  a  frog  on  the 
ground,  with  his  legs  beating  the  air,  the  shock  of  the  fall  being  so  violent  that,  for 
a  few  seconds,  he  lay  motionless  and  stunned. 

His  horse  was  bewildered  by  what  took  place,  and,  flinging  up  his  head  with  a 
whinny,  started  back  to  his  companions. 

In  doing  this  he  headed  toward  Pongo,  whom  he  must  have  mistaken  for  one 
of  his  own  people. 

Pongo  saw  that  his  chance,  desperate  though  it  was,  had  come.  With  a  couple 
of  bounds,  he  met  the  animal,  and  a  single  leap  landed  him  on  its  back.  In  a  twink- 
ling, he  headed  it  the  other  way,  and,  understanding  so  well  how  to  manage  its 
kind,  he  sent  it  flying  at  headlong  pace  up  the  slope  toward  the  encampment  of 
his  friends. 

Expecting  to  be  filled  with  arrows  and  javelins  until  he  resembled  a  porcupine, 
Pongo  flung  himself  forward  on  the  neck  of  his  new  steed,  and  shut  his  eyes,  while 
the  throbbing  animal  beneath  him  thundered  up  the  hill  with  the  speed  of  the  wind. 

Two  singular  causes  intervened  to  help  him. 

The  fall  of  the  Bushman  leader  filled  his  followers,  for  the  moment,  with  conster- 
nation. Seeing  him  motionless  on  the  ground,  they  seemed  to  think  he  had  been 
slain  by  some  new  and  mysterious  weapon  in  the  hands  of  the  white  man  With 
cries  of  rage  and  grief  the  party  galloped  toward  him,  while  several,  noting  the 
thief  making  off  with  the  best  steed  of  the  tribe,  despatched  a  number  of  arrows  in 
that  direction. 

In  doing  so,  however,  they  were  handicapped  by  the  fear  of  killing  the  noble 
animal,  which  they  hoped  yet  to  recover  for  their  leader,  provided  the  latter  was 
alive.  These  factors  in  the  problem,  appearing  at  the  critical  moment,  saved 
Pongo,  who  passed  beyond  reach  of  his  infuriated  countrymen,  not  only  without  a 
scratch,  but  the  owner  of  the  finest  native  horse  he  had  ever  bestrode. 

But  as  for  Jack  Harvey,  as  he  expressed  it,  he  was  not  yet  out  of  the  woods;  in 
fact,  he  had  only  fairly  entered  them.  He  had  unhorsed  his  opponent  in  emphatic 
style,  and  nothing  would  have  been  easier  than  to  despatch  him,  as  he  lay  on  the 
ground;  but  the  Texan's  chivalrous  nature  recoiled  from  such  a  summary  course 
toward  a  foe  that  had  not  only  shown  a  certain  bravery  in  sallying  forth  to  meet 
him,  but  at  that  moment  was  helpless. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

A  MASTERLY  RETREAT. 

|T  was  a  time  for  coolness  and  nerve,  and  no  man  possessed  more  of  those  de- 
sirable qualities  than  Jack  Harvey,  the  Texan. 

Quick  to  learn  from  the  example  of  the  Bushman  chieftain  himself,  he 
spoke  a  few  words  to  his  mustang,  and  the  sagacious  animal  instantly  began 
retreating  up  the  slope  which  he  had  descended  but  a  short  time  before. 

Jack  had  managed  to  draw  the  noose  from  the  shoulders  of  the  savage,  and  he 
rapidly  hauled  in  his  lasso,  while  his  pony  withdrew,  with  his  face  toward  the  enemy. 
That  done,  Jack  coiled  the  rope  loosely  over  the  hook  on  his  saddle,  and  brought 
his  rifle  to  the  front. 

He  knew  the  leader  was  only  stunned  and  would  quickly  be  himself  again.  His 
own  escape  must  be  effected  during  the  few  brief  moments  of  the  Bushman's  un- 
consciousness. 

Had  he  wheeled  about  and  dashed  up  the  hill,  he  would  have  brought  a  shower 
of  arrows  after  him,  with  the  chances  all  in  favor  of  receiving  a  number  in  his  body. 
His  purpose,  as  you  will  see,  was  to  get  as  far  off  as  possible,  before  the  Bushmen 
could  recover  from  their  flurry,  and  then,  at  the  critical  moment,  spur  away  at  head- 
long speed. 

Everything  went  with  a  rush.  Like  a  trained  circus  horse,  the  mustang  walked 
backward  up  the  incline  —  one  of  the  most  difficult  of  all  tasks  for  a  horse,  while 
his  rider  held  his  rifle  prepared  to  shoot,  and  with  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  wild  men, 
all  of  whom  were  in  his  field  of  vision. 

Jack  had  retreated  several  rods  when  he  detected  a  threatening  movement.  It 
was  at  the  moment  when  the  war  party  were  grouped  around  their  fallen  leader, 
and  the  two  that  helped  him  to  his  feet  saw  he  was  not  dead  nor  even  seriously  in- 
jured. 

On  the  outer  edge  of  the  party,  one  of  their  number,  seated  on  his  horse,  began 
carefully  adjusting  a  poisoned  arrow  to  his  bow. 

It  was  the  same  archer  that  had  launched  a  missile  at  the  Texan  when  his  head 
first  showed  over  the  crest  of  the  hill.  He  was  an  expert,  and  the  distance  between 
him  and  the  white  man  was  so  much  less  than  before,  that  he  was  sure  to  impale 
Jack  if  allowed  to  fire  a  single  arrow. 

"  Hands  up  !  " 

There  was  something  so  absurd  in  the  command,  under  the  circumstances,  that 
Bob,  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin,  who  were  watching  the  thrilling  scene,  smiled,  the  latter 
remarking: 

"A  man's  early  training  is  sure  to  show  itself." 

The  savage  to  whom  the  order  was  addressed  could  not  be  expected!  to  grasp 

89 


go  A    MASTERLY    RETREAT. 

the  meaning  of  the  peculiar  border  command,  and  he  continued  his  preparations 
for  shooting. 

While  the  rest  of  his  companions  were  interested  in  their  chieftain,  who  was 
still  somewhat  groggy  on  his  feet,  the  bowman  was  the  only  one  disposed  to  attend 
strictly  to  business. 

It  took  him  but  a  few  seconds  to  make  ready,  when  he  extended  his  left  hand, 
grasping  the  middle  of  the  bow,  and  began  sighting  carefully  at  the  horseman,  whose 
steed  had  now  backed  a  considerable  distance  up  the  slope. 

But  before  the  Bushman  could  complete  his  aim,  Jack  Harvey  had  pressed  the 
trigger  of  his  rifle,  and  you  need  not  be  told  that  he  made  no  miss. 

That  which  followed  seems  incredible.  The  Bushman  archer  uttered  a  rasp- 
ing shriek,  and  went  over  backward  from  his  pony.  In  the  act  of  doing  so,  he  in- 
stinctively discharged  the  arrow,  but  it  was  aimless,  and,  instead  of  speeding  in  the 
direction  of  the  white  man,  it  bounded  straight  up  in  air  with  diminished  mo- 
mentum, turning,  at  a  height  of  less  than  a  hundred  feet,  and  descending  among 
the  startled  group,  where  the  point  punctured  the  shoulder  of  one  of  the  Africans, 
who,  for  the  moment,  could  not  understand  whence  came  the  deadly  hurt. 

This  was  the  crisis  for  which  Jack  Harvey  had  been  waiting,  and,  wheeling  his 
mustang  around,  he  sent  him  toward  the  crest  of  the  hill  like  the  arrow  discharged 
toward  him  a  few  minutes  before. 

The  fugitive  expected  several  of  the  venomous  shafts,  and  threw  himself  forward 
on  the  neck  of  his  horse,  keeping  his  gaze  on  his  enemies,  so  as  to  dodge  their 
missiles  if  necessary;  but,  extraordinary  as  it  may  seem,  not  a  single  one  followed  him. 

The  death  of  the  archer,  taking  place  before  the  party  had  fully  recovered  from 
the  mishap  of  its  leader,  rendered  the  confusion,  for  a  moment,  greater  than  before, 
and,  ere  the  Bushmen  could  understand  all  that  had  taken  place,  the  Texan's 
mustang  had  whisked  over  the  hill  and  joined  the  other  ponies. 

All  three  felt  that  duty  did  not  require  them  to  wait  longer  in  that  neighborhood, 
and  they  lost  no  time  in  riding  back  to  camp  and  joining  the  sorely  frightened 
natives,  whose  fears  had  been  increased,  rather  than  diminished,  by  the  arrival  of 
Pongo  on  his  captured  steed :  for  the  latter,  thinking  he  might  be  of  some  service 
to  his  chivalrous  rescuer,  had  immediately  wheeled  about  and  rode  back,  meeting 
and  joining  the  three  friends  on  their  return. 

Hardly  had  the  five  horsemen  reached  camp,  when  the  Bushmen  reappeared  on 
the  hills  as  before,  and  looked  down  upon  the  hunting  party  that  had  given  them 
such  a  chastisement.  But  they  had  learned  an  important  lesson  :  it  was  perilous 
to  trifle  with  men  who  owned  such  mysterious  and  awful  weapons. 

The  leader  of  the  Bushmen  was  compelled  to  share  a  seat  with  one  of  his  war- 
riors, where  he  looked  far  less  impressive  than  when  he  bestrode  his  own  steed.  He 
had  lost  his  valued  horse,  not  to  mention  his  best  bowman  and  another  warrior,  and 
was  sure  to  suffer  still  more  if  he  attempted  further  molestation. 

The  natives  had  had  enough,  and,  after  indulging  in  a  number  of  peculiar  cries 
and  gestures,  wheeled  about  and  disappeared. 


A   MASTERLY    RETREAT.  gi 

"  Are  we  likely  to  be  bothered  any  more  with  those  tenderfeet  ?  "  asked  Jack 
Harvey  of  Mr.  Godkin. 

"  Not  during  the  daytime,  for  the  lasso  and  Winchester  have  filled  them  with  a 
healthy  fear  of  us.  The  chief  may  attempt  to  revenge  himself  by  stealing  up  to 
the  camp  at  night  and  sending  in  a  few  shots,  but  I  think  even  that  is  doubtful." 

Pongo,  being  appealed  to,  was  of  the  same  opinion  as  the  director.  The  fellow 
was  so  grateful  to  his  friends,  for  their  help  in  getting  him  out  of  the  clutches  of  his 
countrymen,  that  he  was  ready  to  give  them  any  information  at  his  command. 

He  said  that  he  and  the  chieftain  were  old  acquaintances,  and  that  the  latter  was 
uttering  words  of  friendship  when  he  griped  his  hand  and  violently  lifted  him  upon 
the  horse,  in  front.  Pongo  knew  the  mistake  he  had  made  before  he  reached  the 
leader,  but  it  would  have  been  fatal  to  turn  back,  and  he  therefore  went  forward,  as 
I  have  already  described. 

"You  acquitted  yourself  nobly,"  said  Mr.  Godkin  to  Jack  Harvey,  who,  like  the 
best  specimens  of  cowboys,  was  always  modest  when  his  own  exploits  were  re- 
ferred to. 

"  I  don't  see  that  there  was  anything  so  wonderful  about  it,  but  I  was  uneasy 
because  of  the  poisoned  arrows.  I  thought,  when  I  rode  over  the  hill,  Apache  would 
catch  some  of  the  confounded  things,  even  if  /  didn't." 

"  Pongo  has  learned  something  as  well  as  his  countrymen,"  ventured  Bob  Mar- 
shall ;  "  he  deserved  bad  usage  for  his  foolishness  in  walking  into  such  a  trap." 

The  Bushman  grinned  and  nodded  his  head  to  signify  that  he  agreed  with  the 
sentiments  just  utte.  ed. 

"  It  strikes  met  here  is  no  company  in  the  world,"  said  Dick  Brownell,  "  in  which 
it  is  plainer  that  strength  lies  in  union." 

"  Not  merely  strength,"  observed  Mr.  Godkin,  "  but  safety.  We  must  separate 
at  times,  while  hunting,  but  it  won't  do  to  wander  too  far  from  each  other  to  be  unable 
to  yield  mutual  support." 

"  Good  advice,"  replied  Jack,  "  but  I  know  it  won't  be  followed  by  any  one  of  us. 
We're  in  a  country  where  there  are  enough  birds,  beasts  and  reptiles  to  stock  all  the 
shows  in  creation,  and  it's  our  business  to  scoop  in  what  we  can  for  Mr.  Barnum. 
When  we  get  fairly  at  work  we'll  be  sure  to  forget  all  about  the  confounded  wild 
men." 

"But  they  won't  forget  about  us,  you  may  depend  on  that." 

The  site  of  the  encampment,  as  I  have  stated,  was  not  favorable  in  all  respects, 
for  it  offered  too  good  an  opportunity  for  their  enemies  to  steal  upon  them  during 
the  darkness.  It  would  seem  an  easy  task  for  one  of  those  sallow  warriors,  creep- 
ing up  the  bank  of  the  stream,  to  hurl  a  poisoned  javelin  or  arrow  into  the  group, 
inflicting  a  mortal  hurt,  and  getting  off  before  a  return  shot  could  reach  him. 

It  will  be  understood,  therefore,  that  our  friends  were  in  anything  but  a  comfort- 
able frame  of  mind  when  night  shut  in,  though  the  closest  watch  they  had  been 
able  to  keep  tnrough  the  day  failed  to  disclose  the  first  sign  of  the  Bushmen. 

Jack  Harvey,  Bob  Marshall  and  two  of  the  natives  took  charge  during  the  first 


Q2  A    MASTERLY    RETREAT. 

half  of  the  night,  with  the  intention  of  alternating  with  Mr.  Godkin,  Dick  and  two 
others  for  the  remaining  hours  of  darkness. 

The  Texan's  experience  in  Indian  campaigning  in  the  Southwest  convinced  him 
that  if  any  demonstration  was  made,  it  would  be  from  the  direction  of  the  stream 
flowing  near  the  camp. 

Accordingly,  he  located  himself  in  the  grass  on  that  side.  He  did  not  hesitate 
to  lie  on  his  face,  for  he  had  learned  long  before  to  do  that  through  the  entire  night 
without  falling  asleep.  The  confidence  of  his  friends  in  him  was  such  that  they 
felt  that,  despite  the  peculiar  peril  to  which  the  approach  was  exposed,  it  was  really 
the  safest  spot  while  under  his  guardianship. 

Sure  enough,  just  before  the  turn  of  night,  Jack  detected  several  dusky  figures 
stealthily  moving  along  the  stream,  close  to  the  water,  and  he  knew  they  were  his 
old  enemies.  The  instant  he  was  able  to  locate  them,  he  opened  with  his  repeater, 
launching  the  whole  nine  shots  in  such  rapid  succession  that  the  recipients  must 
have  believed  an  old-fashioned  bombardment  had  opened. 

This  volley  of  Jack's  accomplished  its  purpose.  The  terrified  Bushmen  skurried 
out  of  reach  with  the  utmost  precipitation,  and,  though  Jack  remained  on  guard 
till  morning,  he  saw  nothing  more  of  them. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

IN     THE    TREE    TOP. 

the  coming  of  day  our  friends  were  in  high  spirits,  for  the  repulse  oi 
the  skulking  Bushmen  was  complete.  They  were  invisible,  and  all  felt 
that  no  further  thought  need  be  given  them. 

Orak  was  doing  so  well  that  he  stepped  down  from  his  couch  in  the  wagon,  and 
announced,  as  best  he  could,  his  intention  of  walking  several  miles  for  the  purpose 
of  stretching  his  legs.  His  fever  was  almost  gone  and  he  possessed  an  excellent 
appetite,  the  best  evidence  that  he  was  rapidly  recovering  from  the  rough  usage 
received  from  the  lion  a  couple  of  nights  before. 

The  specimens  in  natural  history  were  lively,  and  promised  to  survive  the  long 
journey  before  them,  provided  no  untoward  accident  occurred.  The  natives  under- 
stood the  nature  of  the  curious  little  pets,  and  could  be  depended  upon  to  give  them 
all  possible  care. 

It  was  yet  early  in  the  day  when  the  train  took  up  its  lumbering  course,  it  being 
the  intention  of  Mr.  Godkin  to  trend  toward  the  Atlantic  coast,  with  a  view  of  ulti- 
mately striking  it  south  of  the  Congo  State.  Although  he  made  no  mention  of  his 
purpose,  he  meant  that  a  part  of  the  expedition  should  enter  the  Gaboon  country 
in  search  of  the  chimpanzee  and  gorilla. 

Noon  had  not  yet  come,  when  Pongo,  who  rode  in  advance,  on  the  horse  cap- 
tured from  the  Bushman  leader,  made  known  that  giraffes,  or  camelopards,  were  in 
the  neighborhood.  He  pointed  out  several  well  marked  spoors,  though  nothing  of 
the  animals  was  seen. 

One  of  the  curious  facts  connected  with  this  creature  is  the  difficulty  that  hunt- 
ers experience  in  identifying  it  at  even  a  moderate  distance.  Its  peculiar  shape 
renders  a  sportsman  liable  to  mistake  a  tree  or  high  stump  for  it,  such  errors  being 
common  with  those  that  have  spent  years  in  Southern  Africa. 

The  temperature  was  uncomfortably  high,  when  Mr.  Godkin  brought  the  train 
to  a  halt,  intending  to  resume  the  journey  toward  the  middle  of  the  afternoon.  The 
stop  was  near  a  stream  of  water,  broader  than  that  from  which  they  had  drawn 
their  supply  the  preceding  night.  It.  was  believed  to  be  a  tributary  of  the  Zam- 
besi, whose  delta  is  on  the  shore  of  the  Mozambique  Channel,  in  latitude  18 
degrees  south. 

The  stream  was  fully  an  eighth  of  a  mile  wide,  winding  and  sluggish,  with  a 
growth  of  tall,  rank  weeds  on  both  sides  and  with  the  shores  so  level  that  little  fear 
was  felt  of  the  stealthy  approach  of  wild  men,  despite  the  shelter  afforded  by  the 
growth  alongshore. 

The  parties  who  set  out  to  hunt  giraffes  were  the  two  youths,  Jack   Harvey, 

93 


gs  IN    THE    TREE    TOP. 

Cad  Godkin  and  Pongo.  Diedrick  staid  behind  to  look  after  the  camp,  agreeing 
that,  if  anything  should  rise  to  demand  their  presence,  he  would  signal  them  by 
firing  both  barrels  of  one  of  the  shot-guns.  It  was  not  believed,  however,  that  any 
such  emergency  was  likely  to  occur,  since  no  Bushmen  or  wild  men  had  been  seen 
since  the  previous  night. 

The  hunters  were  mounted  on  their  own  animals,  Pongo  carrying  his  three 
boomerangs,  while  the  Texan,  as  a  matter  of  course,  took  his  lasso,  which  had  done 
such  good  service  more  than  once  before. 

Mr.  Godkin  consented,  after  they  had  ridden  some  distance  across  the  level 
plain,  that  they  should  separate  and  enter  the  extensive  jungle  in  front  at  different 
points,  insisting,  however,  that  they  should  not  allow  their  interest  in  the  chase  to 
lead  any  one  beyond  reach  of  the  support  of  his  friends,  whose  help  was  likely  to 
be  needed  in  securing  some  of  the  specimens  for  which  they  were  searching. 

The  jungle  was  found  to  be  so  open  that  their  horses  made  their  way  through  it 
without  difficulty,  and  the  plainly  marked  spoor  of  the  giraffes  was  seen  so  often 
that  each  member  of  the  party  was  confident  it  would  be  his  good  fortune  to  dis- 
cover one  or  more  of  the  coveted  animals  before  the  rest  came  up  with  them. 

It  was  Bob  Marshall's  luck  to  secure  the  first  meeting  with  several  of  the  most 
extraordinary  members  of  the  animal  kingdom. 

He  had  picked  his  way  but  a  short  distance  among  the  tall,  column-like  trees, 
when  he  observed  that  the  ground  was  slightly  rising  and  the  trunks  were  becoming 
more  scattered.  If  this  continued,  he  must  soon  enter  an  opening,  or  natural 
clearing. 

Sure  enough,  that  was  what  followed.  Within  fifteen  minutes  after  parting  with 
his  comrades,  he  found  himself  on  the  edge  of  a  comparatively  open  space,  several 
acres  long,  and  about  half  as  wide.  The  surface  was  covered  with  a  stunted,  yellow 
grass,  that  seemed  to  have  been  withered  by  the  flaming  African  sun.  Near  the 
middle  stood  a  tall  cameeldorn  tree,  the  species  being  abundant  in  the  wood 
through  which  the  youth  had  reached  the  spot. 

Beyond  this  tree  were  others  of  smaller  growth.  Dismounting,  Bob  examined 
the  ground  with  the  closeness  of  an  Indian  scout,  and  became  convinced  that  the 
impressions  which  he  saw  had  been  made  by  the  feet  of  giraffes.  He  was  filled  with  a 
strong  hope  by  the  fact  that  some  of  the  tracks  were  quite  small,  suggesting  that 
young  ones  were  among  the  old. 

If  this  should  prove  the  case,  it  was  encouraging,  for  it  promised  a  chance  of 
obtaining  some  of  them  to  add  to  the  menagerie  they  were  gathering  in  the  Dark 
Continent,  to  be  sent  to  the  other  side  of  the  world. 

But  it  was  annoying,  after  such  a  long  ride  and  search,  and  after  reaching  this 
clearing,  where  the  animals  had  passed  so  recently,  that  he  was  unable  to  catch 
sight  of  a  single  one. 

"They  can't  be  far  off,"  was  the  conclusion  of  the  lad,  who,  leaving  his  pony  on 
the  edge  of  the  jungle,  walked  to  the  green  cameeldorn  tree,  with  the  intention  of 
making  use  of  it  to  help  him  extend  his  survey  over  the  surrounding  vicinity. 


IN  THE  TREE  TOP.  95 

Instead  of  carrying  his  rifle  at  the  side  of  the  saddle,  as  is  sometimes  done  by 
hunters,  Bob  followed  the  custom  of  his  friends,  who  slung  their  weapons  over 
their  backs,  by  means  of  a  strap,  whence  it  could  be  quickly  brought  to  the  front  in 
case  of  need.  Thus  he  would  have  the  full  use  of  both  arms  when  he  wished  it, 
and,  in  climbing  a  tree,  could  carry  his  chief  weapon  with  him. 

That  was  what  Bob  did.  It  took  but  a  few  minutes  to  ensconce  himself  among 
the  branches  of  the  cameeldorn,  whose  leaves  were  as  green  and  cool-looking  as 
though  the  roots  were  perennially  supplied  with  moisture. 

The  youth  ascended  until  the  strength  of  the  limb  on  which  he  rested  permitted 
him  to  go  no  farther,  when  he  paused,  to  take  a  survey  of  the  neighborhood. 

The  result,  at  first,  was  disappointing.  His  vision  extended  less  than  he  ex- 
pected, though  it  swept  over  considerable  space;  but  it  showed  nothing  of  what  he 
hoped  to  see. 

"It  must  be,"  he  thought,  "that  the  giraffe  holds  its  head  so  high  and  has  such 
sharp  eyes,  like  the  ostrich,  that  it  discovers  the  hunter  long  before  he  can  detect 
the  animal.  There  may  be  a  herd  of  them  that  have  observed  us  long  ago,  and  are 
keeping  out  of  our  way.  Helloa  !  somebody  is  luckier  than  I." 

This  exclamation  was  caused  by  the  sound  of  a  gun,  a  short  distance  to  the  left. 
He  suspected  the  weapon  was  Dick's,  though,  of  necessity,  it  was  guesswork  on 
Bob's  part. 

Suddenly,  the  latter's  heart  gave  a  throb.  Two  hundred  yards  off,  in  a  direction 
opposite  to  that  where  he  had  left  his  horse,  he  saw  something  moving.  It  was  at 
the  farther  end  of  the  clearing,  where  all  became  jungle  again,  and  the  objects  were 
so  hidden  by  the  vegetation  that,  for  some  minutes,  it  was  impossible  to  identify  them. 

By  and  by,  however,  a  male  giraffe,  fully  eighteen  feet  high,  and  two  females, 
three  or  four  feet  less  in  stature,  moved  into  plainer  sight  and  began  cropping  some 
of  the  acacias  that  were  plentiful  in  that  section. 

The  youth  debated  with  himself  what  he  should  do.  The  animals  were  too  far 
off  to  risk  a  shot  from  his  perch,  and  he  hesitated  to  shoot  them  down  in  mere  sport, 
when  there  were  no  young  in  their  company.  The  spoor  convinced  him  that  some 
infant  camelopards  were  not  far  off,  and  it  was  important  that  the  older  ones  should 
not  be  scared  into  fleeing  with  them. 

Bob  was  indeed  in  a  quandry,  and  he  ardently  wished  that  his  friends  were 
within  call,  so  that  some  plan  for  making  the  important  capture  could  be  agreed 
upon.  But  he  was  afraid  to  signal  them,  lest  he  should  frighten  off  the  animals. 
He  therefore  waited  and  cogitated  over  the  matter,  hoping  all  the  time  that  the 
giraffes  would  come  closer. 

While  still  attentively  watching  them,  he  made  the  discovery  that  fully  half  a 
dozen  others  were  near.  He  could  catch  glimpses  of  their  long,  awkward  necks 
now  and  then,  as  they  thrust  their  heads  hither  and  thither  among  the  acacias, 
while  cropping  the  succulent  leaves;  but  they  persisted  in  keeping  so  obscured  that 
he  could  not  learn  whether  or  not  they  were  accompanied  by  any  young,  the  proba- 
bilities, however,  being  that  more  than  one  baby  giraffe  was  in  their  company. 


06  IN   THE   TREE   TOP. 

"  I  can't  see  why  Dick  and  the  rest  don't  work  their  way  over  nere,"  thought  he, 
*'  for  most  of  the  animals  must  be  near  me,  though  I  know  they  sometimes  travel 
in  herds  of  thirty  or  forty.  We  could  surround  the  whole  lot,  and  Jack,  with  his 
lasso,  would  be  able  to  gather  in  one  or  two  of  the  young  —  " 

At  that  moment  he  heard  a  slight  rustling,  and  turning  his  head,  was  so  startled 
by  what  he  observed,  that  he  came  within  a  hair  of  losing  his  balance  and  falling  to 
the  ground. 

The  most  extraordinary  object  he  had  ever  beheld  was  moving  among  the 
leaves.  It  showed  no  legs  or  arms,  but  from  the  front  was  thrust  a  tongue,  fully  a 
foot  long,  that,  wrapping  about  the  green  leaves,  tore  them  off  in  handfuls  and 
shoved  them  into  its  capacious  mouth.  The  oblique  and  narrow  nostrils  were  pro- 
tected by  strong  hairs,  and  surrounded  by  muscular  fibers  that  could  close  the 
organs  of  smell  against  the  entrance  of  the  sand  dust  which  sometimes  sweeps, 
with  fatal  effect,  over  portions  of  the  Dark  Continent.  A  pair  of  beautiful  eyes  were 
so  placed  that  the  owner  could  gaze  in  any  direction  without  moving  his  head. 

This  remarkable  object  was  gliding  here  and  there  among  the  leaves  of  the 
cameeldorn  tree,  with  a  certain  smooth  grace  that  proved  it  was  controlled  by 
some  power  beneath.  Those  lustrous  eyes  could  not  fail  to  see  the  lad,  crouching 
on  the  other  side  of  the  trunk,  and  peering  around,  as  though  in  doubt  whether  he 
ought  to  appeal  to  his  weapons  or  drop  from  his  perch  and  run  for  life.  But  no 
notice  was  taken  of  him.  The  object,  whatever  its  nature,  glided  hither  and  thither, 
sometimes  approaching  and  sometimes  receding  from  the  boy,  and  acting  all  the 
while  as  though  it  cared  naught  for  him  or  anything  else. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


A     TIMELY     ARRIVAL. 

THE  second  glance  of  the  affrighted  Bob  enabled 
him  to  identify  the  strange  sight :  it  was  the  head  of 
an  immense  giraffe,  that  was  cropping  the  leaves  of 
the  cameeldorn  tree  in  which  he  had  perched. 

Since  this  animal  is  one  of  the  most  timid  that 
is  hunted,  it  was  singular  that  he  did  not  instantly 
flee  on  catching  sight  of  the  young  hunter.  It  must 
have  been,  as  Bob  suspected,  that  he  had  never  looked 
upon  a  human  being  before,  and,  therefore,  did  not 
understand  that  he  was  ten-fold  more  dangerous  than 
the  cheetah  or  lion. 

Wondering  at  his  temerity,  Bob  ven- 
tured  to  move  a  few  inches  toward  him. 
Instantly  the  head  became  stationary,  and 
the  long  tongue  motionless,  while  the  fine 
eyes   contemplated   the   stranger  with   an 
inquiring    stare,   not   unmixed   with    fear. 
Evidently  the  creature  was  on  the  point  of 
fleeing,  though   the  lusciousness  of 
the  leaves  tempted  him  to  remain. 

Bob  kept  still,  and  the  giraffe  re- 
sumed feeding,  though,  for  a  few 
minutes,  he  did  not  approach  any 
nearer  the  lad.  The  latter,  watch- 
ing him  closely,  was  able  now  and 
then,  when  the  head  parted  the 
branches,  to  follow  the  long  neck,  as 
it  sloped  downward  to  the  ground 

where  the  body  was  standing.  Bob  was  sure,  too,  that  others  of  the  kind  were 
there,  though  the  thick  growth  of  leaves  prevented  him  seeing  plainly,  and  he  was 
afraid  that  if  he  shifted  his  position,  he  would  drive  off  the  male  which  showed 
such  confidence  in  him. 

By  and  by  the  latter  edged  over  to  where  the  astonished  youth  was  holding  to 
the  limb.  Bob  felt  just  enough  misgiving  of  the  extraordinary  head  to  wish  to 
avoid  too  close  company  with  it.  Of  course,  he  could  have  shot  the  beast,  but, 
before  doing  that,  he  wished  to  satisfy  himself  that  such  an  act  would  not  shut  out 
all  chance  of  capturing  some  of  the  young. 


AN  AFRICAN  TOBOGGAN  SLIDE. 


gS  A   TIMELY    ARRIVAL. 

Still  closer  came  the  head  until  it  was  so  nigh  that  Bob  shoved  himself  further 
out  on  the  limb,  intending  to  swing  his  arm  and  frighten  the  animal  into  preserving 
a  respectful  distance ;  but  the  youth  forgot  that  the  branch  on  which  he  was  rest- 
ing was  already  taxed  to  its  utmost. 

The  consequence  was,  that  it  snapped  off  like  a  pipe-stem,  close  to  the  trunk, 
and,  in  an  instant  he  began  his  descent  through  the  limbs,  to  the  ground. 

The  flurry  startled  the  giraffe  into  an  awkward  leap,  directly  under  the  descend- 
ing lad,  who  struck  the  giraffe's  neck  just  back  of  his  head,  and  shot  down  the  whole 
length  of  the  animal,  from  head  to  tail,  with  the  velocity  of  a  sled  going  down  a 
toboggan  slide. 

Bob  realized  instantly  what  was  coming,  and,  dropping  his  gun,  instinctively 
threw  out  his  arms  to  grasp  the  neck  and  stop  his  accelerating  descent.  Had  it 
been  any  other  animal,  he  must  have  succeeded,  but  the  inclination  of  the  giraffe's 
body,  from  his  head  to  his  switch  of  a  tail,  approached  too  nearly  the  perpendicular 
to  permit. 

Faster  and  faster  went  the  youth,  despite  his  efforts  of  resistance,  until  he  shot 
off  the  spine  of  the  startled  animal  with  such  momentum  as  to  strike  the  ground  a 
dozen  feet  distant,  where  he  made  a  backward  somersault,  just  in  time  to  escape 
the  vicious  kick  of  the  giraffe's  hind  foot,  which,  had  it  landed,  would  have  done 
serious  damage. 

Before  Bob  could  clamber  to  his  feet,  the  sharp  crack  of  a  Winchester  sounded 
on  the  air,  and  the  huge  giraffe  made  a  frantic  lunge  forward,  falling  dead  on  his 
face,  his  brain  pierced  by  a  shot  from  the  rifle  of  Jack  Harvey,  who  dashed  forward 
the  next  moment  on  his  mustang,  and  with  his  lasso  whizzing  about  his  head. 

For  Bob  was  not  mistaken  in  believing  there  were  others  of  the  same  kind  be- 
neath the  tree  which  he  had  climbed.  There  were  a  female  and  two  young,  the 
mother  grazing  from  the  branches  so  much  lower  down  that  the  youth  had  not  seen 
her  head.  The  young  were  feeding  still  lower,  —  that  is,  they  were  imbibing  their 
mother's  milk,  while  she  was  helping  herself  to  the  vegetation. 

Even  in  that  exciting  moment,  the  hunters  were  touched  by  the  sight.  The  mother 
stared  around  in  a  bewildered  way,  and  then,  with  a  vague  consciousness  of  her 
danger,  started  off,  with  her  offspring  trotting  at  her  side. 

But  she  went  only  a  few  paces,  when  the  merciless  coil  settled  round  her  neck, 
and  she  was  jerked  backward  with  such  force  that  she  fell  on  her  side,  where  she 
kicked  and  struggled  violently  for  several  minutes. 

"  Don't  kill  her  !  "  called  Bob,  his  heart  full  of  pity  for  the  young  ones,  too  much 
Stupefied  by  the  calamity  to  flee. 

"  I  don't  want  to,"  replied  Jack,  leaping  to  the  ground,  "  but  we've  got  our  hands 
full.  Where  the  deuce  is  Pongo  ?  " 

The  Bushman  at  that  moment  bounded  from  among  the  trees  on  foot.  He  ran 
forward  to  the  struggling  giraffe,  and,  halting  by  its  head,  jumped  up  and  down, 
swung  his  arms,  and  emitted  a  series  of  the  most  hideous  sounds  that  can  be  im- 
agined. 


A   TIMELY   ARRIVAL. 


99 


These  were  intended  to  frighten  the  captive,  and  accomplished  that  purpose. 
Either  from  exhaustion  or  fright,  she  became  still.  The  pleading  expression  in  her 
large  soft  eyes,  as  she  looked  up  at  her  captors,  would  have  touched  a  savage. 

"  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  can  kill  her,  though  I  expected  to  do  it,"  said  Jack  Harvey; 
"  them  eyes  are  too  human.  If  she'll  behave  herself,  and  let  us  lead  her  back  ta 
camp,  I'll  spare  her."  ;  • 

The  flurry  caused  by  this  incident  started  the  other  giraffes  in  the  vicinity,  and 
they  went  skurrying  away  at  their  highest  bent.  No  attention  was  paid  to  them,  for 
our  friends  had  all  they  could  attend  to  in  looking  after  their  captives. 


GETTING  DOWN  TO  BUSINESS. 

It  seemed  a  pity  that  the  male  had  been  killed,  but  it  was  impossible  to  capture 
him.  He  was  so  large  and  strong  that  he  would  have  continued  fighting  for  free- 
dom, while  there  was  promise  that  the  mother  could  be  managed  through  her  affec- 
tion for  her  young. 

While  she  lay  on  the  ground,  the  two  babies  stood  quietly  by  her  side,  looking 
down  in  such  a  wondering  way  that  it  was  plain  they  were  grieved  and  unable  to 
understand  the  meaning  of  the  sad  sight. 

Finally,  at  the  suggestion  of  Pongo,  the  mother  was  allowed  to  rise.  She  came 
to  her  feet  in  a  hurry,  and  immediately  started  off  again,  but  was  checked  without 
any  help  from  the  mustang,  to  whose  saddle  the  end  of  the  lasso  was  still  secured. 

"  Do  you  think  you  can  lead  her?"  asked  Jack,  of  the  Bushman. 

"  Me  can,"  he  replied,  with  a  nod  of  his  head. 


100 


A   TIMELY    ARRIVAL. 


"  I  guess  I'd  better  keep  her  tied  to  the  saddle  for  a 
time;   I   don't  think  she  can  run   away  with  me   and 
Apache.     Bob,   warn't  you  trying  to  slide  down  the 
back  of  the  male  when  I  came  in  sight  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  was  trying  to  keep  from  sliding  down  it, 
but  I  couldn't  help  myself,  because  the  roof  was 
too  steep." 

"  He  is  got  up  in  curious  style,"    remarked 
the  Texan,  surveying  the  inanimate  figure  on 
the   ground.     "  I    saw   one   of   the    critters   in 
Barnum's  show,  when  it   was  in  Texas,  and 
tried   to   study   out    what   sort   of  joke   na- 
ture was  trying  to  get  off  when  she  shaped 
him    up   in    that   fashion, 


but  I  couldn't  make 
it  out. 


SKELETON  OF  THE  GIRAFFE. 


Pongo,  you  and  Bob 
will  mount  again,  and 
we'll   start    for   camp, 
without  waiting  for  God- 
kin  and    Dick,  who   are 
having  some  fun  of  their 
own." 

The    native's   horse  was 
a  short  distance  off,  and   he 
vaulted  upon  him  in  a  twink- 
ling, Bob  doing  the  same  with 
his  own  animal,  while  Jack   be- 
gan   the  delicate  task   of  leading 
his   captive  away  from  her  former 
companions   and    the    body   of    her 
late  consort. 

This  would  have  been  quite  easy 
on  the  open  plain,  for  the  captive  was 
so  subdued  that,  after  a  few  minutes, 
she  offered  no  resistance  at  all.     She 
walked  obediently  after  her  master,  her 
young  keeping  near  her,   but,   despite 
the  care  of  the  horseman,  the  trees  in- 
terfered in  an  annoying  way,  the  lasso 
frequently  catching   against  the  trunks 
and  limbs.     The   difficulty  was  almost 
overcome  by  shortening  the  halter   so 
as  to  bring  the  beast  near  the  haunch 
of  the  mustang,  who  showed  nearly  as 
great  dislike  to   such  close  acquaint- 
anceship as  did  the  prisoner. 

Everything,  however,  went  along 
swimmingly  on    the    arrival   of  the 
party   in    the   open    plain.     Jack 
allowed    the   prisoner  all  the 
rope  she  wanted,  and  no  one 
would  have  judged,  from  her 


A   TIMELY   ARRIVAL.  IOJ. 

demeanor  as  she  followed  her  captors,  that  she  was  an  unwilling  member  of  the 
company. 

Bob  and  Pongo  rode  at  the  rear  of  the  strange  procession,  studying  the  animals, 
which,  you  will  admit,  are  among  the  most  interesting  of  those  found  in  the  Dark 
Continent. 

I  am  quite  sure  you  have  formed  the  opinion  that  the  fore  legs  of  the  giraffe  are 
much  longer  than  the  hind  ones,  when,  in  truth,  they  are  about  the  same  in  length, 
as  you  can  see  from  the  representation  of  a  skeleton  of  one  of  them.  In  walking, 
the  neck  is  stretched  in  a  line  with  the  back,  and  the  animal  looks  very  awkward, 
but  this  disappears  when  it  runs.  It  lifts  its  hind  legs  alternately  with  the  fore, 
and  they  are  carried  outside  and  far  beyond  them.  Under  a  full  gallop,  the  fore 
legs  are  stiff  in  rising  and  falling.  It  prefers  the  open  country,  and  loves  to  wander 
in  large  herds  over  the  plains  of  Nubia,  Abyssinia  and  South  Africa. 

When  he  wishes  to  eat  something  on  the  ground,  his  posture  is  the  most  awkward 
imaginable.  He  spreads  his  fore  legs  far  apart,  his  hind  ones  retaining  their  usual 
position,  and  thus  manages  to  grasp  the  twig,  or  grass,  in  front  of  him. 

The  giraffe  is  the  sole  living  representative  of  the  Camelopardalida  family,  and, 
unlike  the  deer,  has  no  supplementary  hoofs  on  its  feet,  nor  has  it  any  canine  teeth. 

The  male  and  female  have  each  two  short  frontal  horns,  covered  with  hairy  skin, 
ending  in  a  tuft  of  hairs.  Their  color  is  a  light  yellow,  with  large  brown  spots. 
The  tallest  specimen  I  ever  saw  was  about  eighteen  feet,  which  is  a  third  higher 
than  the  late  lamented  Jumbo,  the  largest  animal  ever  known. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

A  STRANGE  SCENE. 

LTHOUGH  it  fell  to  the  lot  of  Bob  Marshall  to  have  the  most  resultant 
meeting,  as  it  may  be  called,  with  the  giraffes,  yet,  Dick  Brownell  was  really 
the  first  member  of  the  party  to  catch  sight  of  the  interesting  animals. 

I  have  told  you  that  the  camelopard  is  fonder  of  the  open  plain  than  the  wooded 
sections,  but  they  frequently  enter  the  groves,  in  quest  of  the  succulent  leaves,  of 
which  they  are  fond.  It  so  happened  that  fully  a  score  were  engaged  in  feeding 
in  the  jungle  into  which  the  five  men  rode  at  different  points. 

Dick  was  advancing  slowly,  his  senses  on  the  alert,  and  in  the  momentary 
expectancy  of  catching  sight  of  one  of  the  creatures,  when  his  horse  suddenly 
pricked  his  ears  and  stopped  short. 

The  young  rider  instantly  saw  the  cause  of  his  alarm.  A  huge  male  giraffe  was 
standing  a  short  distance  off,  with  his  head  thrust  among  the  lofty  branches,  and 
gathering  in  the  leaves,  just  as  was  the  male  which  so  startled  Bob  Marshall  a  few 
minutes  later.  Had  not  the  animal  been  so  much  engaged,  with  the  leaves  rustling 
about  his  ears,  he  would  have  discovered  the  approach  of  the  hunter  before  the  lat- 
ter could  have  seen  him. 

Dick  was  so  flustered  by  the  sight,  that  he  hurriedly  brought  his  rifle  to  his 
shoulder  and  fired.  Inasmuch  as  he  could  not  see  the  head,  hidden  among  the 
vegetation,  he  aimed  at  the  point  where  he  supposed  it  to  be,  but  where  it  was  not. 

The  report  roused  the  animal,  which  withdrew  his  head  like  a  flash,  and,  observ- 
ing the  horseman,  turned  in  the  other  direction  and  made  off  at  a  speed  that  was 
astonishing. 

Dick  galloped  after  him,  and  once  more  raised  his  gun,  but  lowered  it  without 
pulling  trigger.  He  was  confident  of  his  ability  to  bring  the  tall  creature  to  the 
ground,  but,  knowing  its  gentle  disposition,  he  felt  little  desire  to  do  so.  He  con- 
tinued his  pursuit  a  short  distance,  when  the  fugitive  disappeared,  being  able  to 
make  better  time  through  the  jungle  than  could  his  fleeter-footed  pursuer. 

Dick  felt  little  regret  over  its  escape,  and,  checking  his  pony,  he  turned  the 
other  way,  with  the  intention  of  rejoining  his  companions,  when  he  was  mystified 
by  a  series  of  sounds  which  he  could  not  understand. 

They  seemed  to  consist  of  a  number  of  short,  thunderous  bellows,  mingling  with 
the  brief  roars  evidently  uttered  by  another  kind  of  animal,  and  were  so  near  that 
he  looked  in  the  direction,  knowing  he  would  catch  sight  of  the  beasts,  whatever 
they  might  be. 

An  immense  buffalo  bull  was  standing  at  bay,  with  his  back  toward  a  large  rock, 
and  facing  a  couple  of  male  lions,  that  were  evidently  resolved  to  make  a  meal  of 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


103 


him,  but,  at  the  same  time,  were  well  aware  that  it  could  be  done  only  by  a  des- 
perate fight  with  the  magnificent  fellow  that  defied  them. 

The  African  buffalo  is  one  of  the  most  dreaded  animals  that  roam  the  plains 
and  jungles  of  the  Dark  Continent.  He  is  the  true  buffalo,  the  name  being  a  mis- 
nomer as  applied  to  the  species,  now  nearly  extinct,  on  our  Western  prairies,  and 


AFRICAN  BUFFALO. 

which  are  properly  called  bisons.  He  is  of  great  size,  very  powerful  and  active, 
courageous,  swift  of  foot,  with  an  enormous  spread  of  horns,  that  curve  outward  and 
upward  to  sharp  points,  which,  backed  by  the  prodigious  strength  of  the  animal, 
become  the  most  formidable  of  weapons. 

It  has  been  said  by  more  than  one  native  of  South  Africa  that  one  should  rather 


104 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


stand  fifty  yards  in  front  of  a  rifle,  aimed  and  fired  at  his  breast,  than  to  hold  the 
same  position,  unarmed,  in  front  of  a  buffalo;  for,  in  the  former  instance,  the  weapon 
might  miss,  but,  in  the  latter,  death  is  inevitable. 

From  this  statement  you  can  form  an  idea  of  the  beast,  which,  finding  itseli  as- 
sailed by  a  couple  of  lions,  coolly  backed  against  a  rock  and  faced  them. 

Now  and  then  the  bull  flirted  his  head  in  a  savage  way,  with  a  short,  muttering 
bellow,  to  which  the  lions  answered  with  a  somewhat  similar  cry.  Then  the  assail- 
ants began  creeping  stealthily  forward,  their  bodies  close  to  the  ground,  and  the 
ends  of  their  lashing  tails  thumping  angrily  against  their  ribs. 

Either  could  have  made  a  leap  that  would  have  landed  him  on  the  shoulders  of 
the  bull,  but,  though  they  seemed  to  meditate  an  assault  of  the  kind  they  hesitated 
to  attempt  it. 

The  bull,  as  is  a  favorite  custom  with  his  kind,  had  been  wallowing  in  the  mud 
until  his  entire  body  was  coated.  This  coating  had  been  baked  by  the  sun,  and, 
since  his  violent  movements  had  dislocated  many  of  the  flakes,  his  appearance 
could  not  have  been  more  unsightly.  But  he  was  "  game  "  all  the  way  through. 

The  first  glance  that  Dick  Brownell  obtained  of  the  stirring  sight  showed  that 
the  bull  was  attended  by  a  small  bird,  which,  unmindful  of  the  peril  of  his  huge 
friend,  kept  industriously  garnering  the  insects  that  swarmed  along  his  spine. 
When  the  latter  charged,  the  bird  rode  with  him,  more  interested  in  obtaining  his 
own  meal  than  in  the  strange  combat  going  on. 

It  is  claimed  by  some  that  the  textor  erythrorhynchus,  as  scientists  have  named 
this  bird,  warns  the  bull  of  the  approach  of  danger,  but  I  believe  the  weight  of 
authority  is  against  the  assertion. 

The  strange  contest  (if  at  this  stage  it  could  be  called  a  contest)  had  probably 
continued  some  time  when  Dick  Brownell  arrived  on  the  scene,  though  he  saw  no 
proof  of  any  wounds  having  been  given  or  received  by  any  of  the  combatants,  not 
one  of  which  paid  the  least  heed  to  him. 

The  larger  of  the  assailants  appeared  to  be  growing  impatient.  While  his  com- 
panion was  darting  forward,  and  then  quickly  retreating  a  few  paces,  he  stood  erect, 
as  if  debating  whether  the  best  thing  was  not  io  him  to  dash  in,  and,  with  a  short 
struggle,  end  the  business. 

His  decision  seemed  to  be  hastened  by  the  retreat  of  his  comrade,  for,  with  an- 
other threatening  growl,  he  trotted  straight  toward  the  bull.  The  latter,  instead  of 
awaiting  his  assault,  advanced  to  meet  him. 

This,  evidently,  was  more  than  the  lion  had  counted  on,  for,  standing  his  ground 
but  a  moment,  he  dropped  his  tail,  and  ran  back,  afraid  of  the  frightful  horns  that 
were  coming  toward  him  with  the  momentum  of  a  battering-ram. 

The  bull  was  too  wise  to  be  drawn  far  from  the  rock  and  placed  at  a  fatal  dis- 
advantage. Having  followed  the  lion,  therefore,  a  short  distance,  he  trotted  swiftly 
back  to  his  first  position,  holding  his  head  high,  so  as  to  be  prepared  for  any  dem- 
onstration of  his  foes.  Then  he  instantly  wheeled  and  faced  them,  defiant  as  ever. 

The  smaller  of  the  lions  was  more  cunning  than  the  other.     Leaving  the  latter 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


105 


to  confront  the  bull,  he  began  sneaking  around  to  one  side  of  the  rock,  with  the 
manifest  intention  of  assailing  the  brave  fellow  from  the  rear.  This  could  be  easily 
done,  for  the  rock  was  not  high,  and,  while  the  bull  was  engaged  in  fighting  his  more 
chivalrous  foe,  the  other  could  pounce  down  on  his  shoulder,  and,  clinging  fast,  keep 
free  of  his  dreaded  horns  and  kill  him. 


THE  BISON. 

In  making  this  flank  movement,  the  beast  approached  the  side  of  the  rock  near* 
est  Dick  Brownell,  whose  sympathies,  naturally,  were  with  the  bull.  The  lion  did 
not  notice  him,  —  the  chief  cause  lor  the  oversight  being  his  interest  in  the  singular 
struggle  for  a  dinner. 

"That  ain't  fair  !  "  muttered  the  youth,  reading  the  meaning  of  the  course  of  the 
king  of  beasts  :  "  I  won't  allow  anything  of  the  kind." 


io6 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


And,  without  hesitation,  he  deliberately  raised  his  Winchester,  and  drove  a 
bullet  back  of  the  fore  leg  of  the  beast,  who  was  killed  instantly,  so  that  he  had 
barely  time  to  make  a  single  leap. 

Dick  expected  the  report  of  the  gun  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  other  lion  to 
him  and  his  horse,  and  he  held  himself  ready  to  meet  him  with  the  remaining  cart- 
ridges in  his  rifle ;  but,  to  his  surprise,  both  the  lion  and  bull  acted  as  though  they 
had  not  heard  the  sound,  nor  witnessed  the  downfall  of  one  of  the  assailants. 

In  fact,  the  larger  lion  and  bull  had  feinted  and  faced  each  other  so  long  that 
they  were  rapidly  becoming  infuriated.     They  cared  nothing  for  what  was  going  on 
around   them :    they 
had    only    eyes    for 
each  other. 

"  Now  matters  are 
on    a    fair    basis," 


BUFFALO  AND  LION. 


thought  Dick,  observ- 
ing that  he  was  re- 
ceiving no  attention 
from  either  of  the 

combatants,  "  and  may  the  best  fellow  win."  The 
savage  brutes  did  not  delay  in  getting  down  to 
business. 

Once  more  the  lion  trotted  toward  the  bull,  who,  as  before,  eagerly  advanced  to 
meet  him.  As  he  did  so,  he  again  lowered  his  head,  turning  it  sideways,  so  as  to 
present  one  of  the  magnificent  horns  to  his  assailant. 

The  latter  halted  suddenly,  when  a  few  paces  distant,  and,  dropping  part  way  to 
the  ground,  made  a  quick  jump,  meant  to  carry  him  over  the  lowered  head  and 
upon  the  body  of  the  buffalo.  Had  he  done  so, — and  the  plan  was  feasible, — nothing 
could  have  saved  the  brave  old  fellow ;  for,  unable  to  use  his  horns  upon  his 
clinging  enemy,  he  would  have  been  at  his  mercy. 


A    STRANGE    SCENE.  IO7 

But  the  bull  read  aright  the  purpose  of  his  foe,  and  met  it  in  a  singular  way. 
Instead  of  throwing  up  his  head,  as  Dick  expected  him  to  do,  he  leaped  lightly  to 
one  side,  and,  the  instant  the  lion  landed,  went  at  him  like  a  demon. 

The  brute  had  no  time  to  gather  himself  for  effectual  resistance.  While  striving 
to  do  so,  he  was  shoved  on  his  side  and  knocked  over  again,  still  snarling  and  striv- 
ing desperately  to  regain  his  feet. 

Seeing  the  lion  was  helpless,  the  bull  jammed  his  side  a  third  time  with  such 
fury  that  one  of  the  long  horns  was  driven  almost  through  the  body. 

It  was  a  fatal  wound,  but  the  king  of  beasts  in  his  dying  struggles  inflicted  more 
than  one  serious  hurt  on  his  conqueror,  who,  drawing  back  his  massive  head, 
rammed  him  again,  even  after  all  semblance  of  life  had  departed,  until,  with  a  fierce 
snort,  he  flung  the  senseless  body  a  dozen  feet  away,  as  though  it  were  a  bundle  of 
rags. 

"Hurrah  !"  shouted  the  excited  Dick,  swinging  his  hat;  "you  made  a  gallant 
fight,  and  I  feel  as  though  I  would  like  to  shake  hands  with  you " 

The  youth's  congratulations  were  cut  short,  for,  at  that  moment,  he  became 
aware  that  the  buffalo  appeared  to  have  made  up  his  mind  to  "  shake  hands  "  with 
a  vengeance. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

IN  THE  NICK  OF  TIME. 

tHE  bull,  having  vanquished  his  foe,  seemed  fired  with  the  resolve  to  reconstruct 
the  neighborhood. 
Dick  Brownell  was  swinging  his  hat,  and  giving  utterance  to  his  con- 
gratulating shouts,  when  the  snorting  animal  lowered  his  head,  and  came  for  him 
and  his  steed  like  a  cyclone. 

"Confound  you  !"  muttered  the  youth;  "if  that's  the  way  you  treat  a  friend, 
I'll  turn  enemy." 

And  drawing  up  his  rifle,  he  pulled  the  trigger.  The  aim  was  perfect,  the  ball 
entering  the  lower  part  of  the  skull,  and  tearing  its  way  along  the  spine. 

The  bull  took  a  single  bound  forward,  staggered  like  a  drunken  person,  went 
down  on  his  knees,  and  then  over  on  his  side,  where,  with  a  single  bellow,  he  died. 

"  I  would  have  been  glad  to  spare  you,"  said  Dick,  "  but  I  couldn't  see  my  way 
clear  to  do  it." 

The  youth  observed  Mr.  Godkin  approaching  among  the  trees.  The  reports  of 
the  gun  had  brought  him  to  the  vicinity,  and  he  arrived  in  sight  at  the  moment  the 
bull  was  shot. 

"You  ought  not  to  have  killed  him,"  said  he,  jocosely,  "for  he  would  have  been 
a  valuable  curiosity  for  Mr.  Barnum." 

"Yes;  I  should  like  to  see  the  man,  or  party  of  men,  who  could  make  him 
prisoner ;  it  would  be  like  trying  to  chain  a  blizzard." 

"Jack  Harvey  is  an  expert  in  the  use  of  the  lasso." 

"  He  does  seem  to  have  an  itching  to  try  it  on  every  wild  animal  he  sees.  It 
would  be  just  like  him  to  drop  the  coil  over  a  buffalo's  horns,  but  I  don't  think  he 
would  do  it  a  second  time." 

"  No ;  the  African  buffalo  is  among  the  most  dangerous  game  in  the  country. 
To  me  he  always  seemed  as  bad  as  the  Asiatic  tiger." 

At  Mr.  Godkin's  invitation,  Dick  seated  himself  on  a  fallen  tree  beside  his 
friend,  who,  it  was  evident,  had  something  to  say  to  him.  Dick  was  always  glad 
o/  the  chance  to  talk  with  the  gentleman. 

"I  haven't  had  a  shot,"  Mr.  Godkin  remarked,  "since  we  parted  company, 
though  I  got  near  enough  to  three  giraffes  to  bring  one  or  two  down.  But  there  is 
something  so  innocent  and  helpless  about  the  animals  that  I  dislike  to  kill  them." 

"  I  feei  the  same  ;  I  fired  in  such  a  hurry  that  I  missed,  but  I  didn't  try  a  second 
shot.  But,"  added  Dick,  "  you  would  have  been  interested  had  you  seen  the  buffalo 
gore  that  big  lion  to  death." 

"I've  seen  it  done/'  quietly  replied  Mr.  Godkin;  "a  lion  is  a  fool  that,  single- 
handed,  attempts  to  bring  down  a  t>ull  buffalo." 

1 08 


INGRATITUDE. — Page  108. 


109 


no 


IN    THE    NICK   OF   TIME. 


"But  there  were  two  of  them." 
"At  first  j  but,  if  I'm  right,  you  shot  one." 
"Yes ;  I  wanted  to  make  the  fight  more  even." 

"A  cow  buffalo,  defending  her  young,  is  fiercer,  if  anything,  than  a  bull,"  re- 
marked Mr.  Godkin. 


AN  UNEXPECTED  ATTACK. 


"  I  don't  see  how  that  can  be,"  said  Dick,  with  a  look  at  the  prostrate  foe  that 
had  assailed  him  so  savagely. 

"  I  hope  you  will  never  have  the  chance  of  seeing  it.  I  have  known  a  cow  to 
fight  two  lions,  save  her  young,  and  finally  drive  off  both  her  assailants.  The  bulls, 


IN    THE    NICK    OF   TIME.  IH 

as  they  grow  older,  are  inclined  to  wander  off  by  themselves  into  the  swamps  and 
jungles,  and  the  hunter  who  meets  them  must  be  on  his  guard.  Do  you  note  that 
bird  ?  " 

The  little  feathered  friend  of  the  buffalo  was  industriously  hopping  about  the 
inanimate  form,  in  its  never  ending  hunt  for  food.  During  the  charge  upon  Dick  it 
had  kept  its  place  on  his  back. 

"  I  noticed  it  on  my  fkst  glance  at  the  bull." 

"  They  seem  always  to  be  in  attendance  on  their  fierce  majesties,  but  are  not 
like  the  birds  that  warn  the  rhinoceros  and  hippopotamus  of  the  approach  of 
danger.  Do  you  know,"  continued  the  director,  rousing  to  animation,  "that  I  have 
seen  a  buffalo  whip  an  elephant  ?  " 

"It  seems  incredible." 

"  It's  a  fact,  nevertheless.  I  was  once  riding  a  medium-sized  elephant,  with 
Pongo,  when  we  routed  a  bull  from  a  thick  clump  of  bushes,  where  he  seemed  to  be 
fighting  off  the  insects,  rather  than  seeking  food.  He  came  at  our  steed  with  a 
rush,  and,  striking  his  shoulder,  knocked  him  to  his  knees." 

"  Didn't  he  gore  him  ?  " 

"  That  was  the  strange  part  of  it.  You  know  the  horns  spread  so  far  apart 
that  there  is  a  good  deal  of  space  between.  It  must  have  been  that  the  ends  of  the 
horns  thus  missed  wounding  the  elephant,  while  the  impact  of  their  bony  base  was 
enough  to  capsize  him." 

"  What  were  you  doing  all  this  time  ?  " 

"  I  had  my  rifle,  of  course,  but  I  told  Pongo  that  if  the  elephant  couldn't  save 
himself  from  an  animal  so  much  less  in  size,  I  didn't  feel  like  helping  him.  The  big 
creature  trumpeted  with  terror,  and,  getting  to  his  feet,  wheeled  about  and  lumbered 
off  like  a  whipped  dog." 

"  He  must  have  run  fast  to  get  away  from  the  bull." 

"  He  made  good  time,  for  an  elephant  can  travel  rapidly,  but  he  wouldn't  have 
done  so  well  but  for  the  help  of  the  buffalo.  He  delivered  his  second  charge 
against  the  hindquarters  of  the  bulky  fellow,  who  was  pushed  forward  so  violently 
that  he  came  near  being  thrown  to  his  knees  again,  with  us  flying  over  his  head. 
By  this  time  the  elephant  was  in  a  panic.  He  trumpeted  so  pitifully  that  I  knew 
the  horns  had  inflicted  a  hurt  the  second  time ;  so,  to  save  our  steed  and  ourselves* 
I  sent  a  couple  of  bullets  from  my  unsteady  perch,  which  ended  the  matter." 

"  You  make  me  quite  proud  of  my  achievement  in  bringing  down  such  a  dreadful 
fellow,"  said  Dick,  with  a  smile  and  another  glance  at  the  lifeless  form. 

"  You  may  well  boast  of  it ;  had  you  missed  killing  him  the  second  time,  there 
is  a  certain  young  gentleman  in  South  Africa,  of  whom  Mr.  Barnum  thinks  a  great 
deal,  that  would  never  shake  his  hand  again.  But,"  added  Mr.  Godkin,  coming  to 
the  matter  of  which  he  intended  to  speak  in  the  first  place,  "  I  have  done  more 
thinking  than  hunting  during  the  last  hour  or  two,  and  have  come  to  the  conclusion 
to  make  a  permanent  camp  where  we  have  now  halted." 

The  youth  looked  at  his  friend,  as  if  uncertain  of  his  full  meaning. 


112 


IN   THE    NICK   OF    TIME. 


"We  are  in  the  heart  of  the  best  hunting  region  of  South  Africa,"  he  explained, 
"and  we  cannot  improve  our  situation  by  penetrating  farther,  while  to  do  so  makes 
the  return  the  more  laborious,  and  dangerous  for  the  young  that  we  hope  to  take 


EARNEST  CONFERENCE. 

back  to  the  coast.  By  making  our  camp  permanent,  that 
is,  during  our  hunt  for  curiosities,  we  can  be  secure  against 
the  attack  of  wild  men  and  beasts,  can  give  our  oxen  and 
horses  abundant  rest,  and,  when  we  have  gathered  all  that  we  can  well  take  care 
of,  we  shall  be  in  good  form  for  the  long  journey  to  the  sea  coast.  That,  after 


IN   THE    NICK    OF   TIME.  1 13 

all,  is  the  most  trying  ordeal  before  us.  If  we  can  reach  port  with  our  prizes  I 
snai1  feel  that  nine-tenths  of  the  real  work  is  successfully  finished." 

4  Then,  from  the  camp,  we  will  make  excursions  through  the  surrounding  coul  • 
try,  in  search  of  what  we  want  ?  " 

"That  is  my  plan;  what  do  you  think  of  it?" 

"It  strikes  me  3s  good,  since,  as  I  understand  it,  we  cannot  hope  to  find  any 
more  desirable  prizes  farther  north,  nor,  indeed,  in  any  direction,  without  traveling 
much  farther  than  you  ever  intended  to  go." 

"  You  are  right.  Then,  too,  we  can  give  the  young  better  care  in  camp  than 
while  dragging  them  across  the  country." 

"  There  is  enough  in  South  Africa  to  keep  us  busy." 

"  I  rather  suspect  so.  The  list  is  a  long  one,  embracing,  as  I  am  sure  you  know, 
hyenas,  rhinoceroses,  monkeys,  zebras,  porcupines,  wild  boars,  koodoos,  the  secre- 
tary birds,  hornbills,  ichneumons,  elands,  hippopotami,  not  to  mention  the  leopards, 
lions,  antelopes,  and  giraffes,  and  other  animals  with  which  we  have  already  come 
in  collision." 

"  You  have  omitted  one,"  said  Dick,  significantly. 

"  If  my  list  were  twice  as  long,  it  would  omit  scores." 

"  But  I  conceive  this  to  be  the  most  important  of  all." 

"  What  is  that  ?  " 

"  The  gorilla." 

Mr.  Godkin  smiled  in  return,  and  said: 

"  We  shall  see." 


CHAPTER  XX. 

A  DISCOVERY. 

was  not  wise  to  press  the  matter  too  far,  much  as  Dick  Brownell  and  Bob 
Marshall  desired  to  enter  the  gorilla  country;  but  Mr.  Godkin  had  given  them 
reason  to  hope,  and,  when  Dick  told  his  cousin  what  the  director  had  said,  the 
enthusiastic  youth  declared  that,  barring  accidents,  the  question  was  already  settled 
in  their  favor. 

Mr.  Godkin  was  delighted,  on  reaching  camp,  to  learn  of  the  important  captures 
that  had  been  made,  thanks  to  Jack  Harvey's  skill  in  handling  the  lasso.  If  the 
female  giraffe  and  her  young  could  be  transported  safely  to  the  coast,  they  would 
form  valuable  prizes  for  the  Greatest  Show  on  Earth. 

But  a  good  deal  remained  to  be  done,  and  all  saw  the  wisdom  of  the  director's 
decision.  They  might  hunt  a  good  while  without  finding  so  favorable  a  spot  for  a 
long  halt.  Grass  was  abundant  for  the  animals,  while  the  stream,  flowing  near,  pro- 
vided water  for  all.  Besides,  the  country  was  so  open  on  every  side,  that  if  only 
ordinary  vigilance  was  used,  it  would  be  almost  impossible  for  any  of  the  wild  men 
to  steal  upon  them,  either  by  day  or  night. 

The  decision  having  been  made,  no  time  was  lost  in  the  preparations.  The 
three  wagons  were  placed  so  as  to  form  part  of  a  large  circle,  the  property  carefully 
stowed  away  under  the  strong  canvas  covers,  and  everything  made  as  secure  as 
possible  against  those  tremendous  storms  which  sometimes  devastate  the  African 
plains. 

One  of  the  most  important  steps  was  the  preparation  of  new  quarters  for  the 
young  animals  they  had  captured,  as  well  as  for  those  that  they  expected  to  secure. 
The  cages,  with  which  our  friends  were  well  provided,  being  intended  for  use  in 
transportation,  were  necessarily  small,  and  the  active  young  were  sure  to  suffer 
from  their  cramped  quarters.  Strong  stakes  were  therefore  driven  into  the  ground, 
so  as  to  inclose  a  fourth  of  an  acre,  and  this  was  subdivided  into  what  might  be 
called  apartments,  each  embracing  a  square  rod,  more  or  less.  These  stakes  were 
so  tall,  and  pointed  at  the  top,  that  a  lion  could  not  have  leaped  within  the  inclosure. 
They  were  therefore,  sure  to  keep  the  captives  safe  inside,  while  affording  room 
for  exercise. 

The  section  devoted  to  the  giraffe  and  her  young  needed  to  be  lofty  to  hold  her 
secure.  As  it  was,  her  small  head,  with  its  odd  horn  and  bristling  hairs,  was  often 
seen  roaming  along  the  upper  end  of  the  stakes,  like  some  creature  creeping  un- 
steadily over  an  uncertain  pathway. 

Had  you  been  a  member  of  this  expedition,  you  would  have  appreciated  the 
services  of  the  natives  at  this  time.  The  stockades  for  the  captives  were  mostly 

114 


A    DISCOVERY.  1 1 5 

made  by  them,  and  it  now  became  their  duty  to  look  after  the  wants  of  the  wild  as 
well  as  the  domestic  animals.  It  was  their  province,  as  they  understood  it,  to  keep 
watch  of  the  grazing  oxen,  and  prevent  them  wandering  too  far  from  camp ;  to  look 
out  for  wild  beasts  and  men ;  to  provide  grass  and  leaves  for  the  giraffe,  flesh  for 
the  young  lions  and  leopards ;  to  take  care  of  the  goats,  and  furnish  their  milk  for 
the  table,  and  such  of  the  captives  as  might  need  it ;  to  provide  fuel,  attend  to  the 
cooking,  and,  in  short,  to  do  everything  except  hunt. 


SPRING-BOK. 

In  other  words,  since  the  four  white  men  meant  to  devote  their  energies  to  that 
business,  they  arranged  that  all  other  work,  in  and  about  camp,  should  be  done 
by  the  natives,  who  had  been  brought  along  for  that  purpose. 

Two  exceptions  should  be  named,  in  the  persons  of  Pongo,  the  Bushman,  and 
Diedrick,  the  Hottentot.  They  were  more  intelligent  than  the  others  and  their 
previous  experience  in  these  wilds  rendered  them  valuable  assistants.  The  extra 
ponies  were  intended  mainly  for  their  use,  though  the  prize  Pongo  had  secured  in 
that  line  left  another  spare  horse  for  future  contingencies. 


H6  A    DISCOVERY. 

It  was  a  cause  of  thankfulness  on  the  part  of  all  that  the  wounded  Orak  mended 
so  rapidly.  Even  Mr.  Godkin,  with  his  slight  knowledge  of  medicine,  would  not 
have  dared  to  prophesy  such  speedy  recovery  as  the  African  showed.  Orak  offered 
to  give  help  in  building  the  stockade,  but  that  could  not  be  permitted. 

Respecting  Pongo  and  Diedrick,  the  arrangement  was  that  one  of  them  should  be 
in  camp  during  the  absence  of  the  hunters.  The  servants  needed  some  one  to 
direct  them;  and  especially  if  any  unexpected  danger  should  threaten,  either  the 
Bushman  or  Hottentot  was  competent  to  assume  charge  of  matters  until  the  return 
of  one  or  all  of  the  white  men. 

The  only  weak  point  about  the  encampment  lay  in  the  tall  grass  which  I  have 
told  you  skirted  both  banks  of  the  stream  running  near.  These  offered  the  best  of 
concealment  for  wild  beasts  or  men  that  might  try  to  steal  within  striking  distance 
of  the  party  at  night. 

Mr.  Godkin's  uneasiness  was  such  that  most  of  the  second  day  was  spent  in 
cutting  off  the  grass  nearest  the  camp,  and  between  it  and  the  river.  It  was  a 
relief  when  so  much  had  been  removed  that  they  felt  tolerably  secure  against  the 
descent  of  any  poisoned  missiles  in  the  night  time. 

During  the  afternoon  following  the  capture  of  the  giraffes,  and  the  next  day, 
none  of  our  friends  engaged  in  hunting,  but  they  gave  their  help  to  the  erection  of  the 
stockade,  and  to  putting  everything  in  good  form  against  the  descent  of  the  storm 
that  was  liable  to  come  up  at  any  time. 

The  feeling  of  security  which  diffused  itself  in  camp  was  somewhat  shaken  at 
the  close  of  the  second  day,  by  a  discovery  of  Abdallah,  the  native  from  Senaar. 
He  was  wandering  along  the  bank  of  the  stream,  where  he  was  quite  sure  several 
hippopotami  had  been  but  a  short  time  before,  when  he  stumbled  over  a  raft, 
drawn  against  the  bank  at  a  point  precisely  opposite  the  camp. 

This  structure  consisted  of  a  dozen  or  more  large  logs,  from  which  the  branche 
had  been  partly  cut,  bound  together  by  ropes  of  twisted  grass,  which  covered  tht 
top  like  the  thatched  roof  of  some  humble  dwelling.     Its  buoyancy  was  sufficient 
to  float  several  men. 

The  party  would  have  been  glad  to  believe  the  raft  had  lain  where  it  was  found 
since  some  date  previous  to  the  arrival  of  themselves,  but  that  was  impossible.  Mr. 
Godkin,  as  well  as  Jack  Harvey,  had  made  careful  examination  of  the  shore  im- 
mediately after  the  halt, —  so  careful,  indeed,  that  they  could  not  have  overlooked 
such  a  large  object.  Failure  to  discover  it  was  proof  that  it  had  not  been  there. 
Pongo  explained  that  the  Bushmen,  Bechuanas,  and  other  native  tribes,  some- 
times used  such  craft  in  descending  rivers,  even  for  short  distances.  They  rarely 
constructed  them  for  the  single  purpose  of  crossing,  and  never  attempted  to  employ 
them  against  a  strong  current,  since  they  were  too  unwieldly  for  that  purpose. 

They  were  handled  as  we  handle  similar  structures  —  that  is,  by  means  of  long 
poles,  pressed  against  the  bottom  of  the  stream  on  which  they  were  floating. 

It  was  noticeable  that  there  were  no  poles  on  or  about  the  raft, —  the  meaning 
of  which  no  one  for  a  time  guessed. 


A   DISCOVERY. 


117 


"It  must  be,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "that,  in  spite  of  our  watchfulness,  a  party  of 
natives  have  come  down  the  river  and  landed  here." 

"And,  inasmuch  as  the  raft  is  on  this  side,"  added  Bob  Marshall,  "they  must 
also  be  here." 


BLACK  AND  WHITE  ANTELOPES. 

"Undoubtedly." 

"  And  where  are  they  now  ?  " 

"  That  is  what  I  should  very  much  like  to  know ;  but  it  was  easy  for  them  to 
steal  up  or  down  stream,  through  the  tall  grass,  without  any  of  us  detecting  them." 

Pongo  and  Diedrick  had  hastily  examined  the  surroundings,  but  were  unable  to 
identify  anything  that  looked  like  the  footprints  of  natives.  They  attributed  theil 


A    DISCOVERY. 

failure  to  do  so  to  the  tracks  made  by  themselves  in  tramping  back  and  forth,  while 
the  wet  ground,  for  some  feet  from  the  shore,  so  quickly  filled  all  indentations  that 
it  was  impossible  to  tell  whether  they  were  caused  by  the  feet  of  men  or  animals. 

"  Nothing  is  to  be  feared  from  an  open  attack,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  after  con- 
siderable discussion,  "but  it  is  these  sneaking  scamps  that  will  crawl  just  nigh 
enough  to  launch  one  of  those  pestilent  arrows,  and  then  scoot  off  before  the  shaft 
comes  down  on  your  head." 

"We  have  been  exposed  to  that  risk  before  entering  Bechuana  Land,  and  even 
while  we  were  in  the  Transvaal,"  said  Dick  Brownell. 

"That  may  be,"  replied  his  cousin,  "but  I  suppose  Mr.  Godkin  means  to  say 
that  the  danger  he  speaks  of  is  one  of  those  we  can  never  become  used  to  —  what's 
the  matter  with  Jack  ?  " 

The  Texan  had  walked  apart  from  his  friends,  and  was  prosecuting  an  investi- 
gation independent  of  them. 

The  fact  was,  the  cowboy  was  utilizing  his  experience  on  the  plains  of  the  South- 
west when  campaigning  against  Geronimo  and  his  miscreants.  The  occasion  was 
one  which  called  for  that  sort  of  knowledge,  and  the  sagacious  Texan  was  turning 
it  to  good  account. 

First,  he  went  some  distance  up  stream;  then,  turning  to  one  side,  so  as  to  pass 
clear  of  the  party  near  the  water,  he  returned  to  the  bank  at  a  point  below.  Thus, 
it  will  be  seen,  he  followed  a  line  which,  at  some  point,  must  have  been  crossed  by 
the  wild  men,  after  disembarking  from  the  raft. 

While  thus  engaged,  he  scrutinized  the  damp  ground  with  the  penetrating  eye 
of  a  Kit  Carson.  He  detected  no  trail  beside  that  of  his  friends,  whose  footprints 
he  was  able  to  identify,  because  of  the  peculiar  footgear  they  wore. 

Returning  to  Mr.  Godkin  and  the  others,  he  observed  the  absence  of  poles  from 
the  raft,  besides  which,  it  lay  so  lightly  against  the  bank  that  a  slight  push  would 
have  set  it  free. 

It  was  enough  :  Jack  Harvey  had  formed  his  conclusion. 

"  That  raft  has  drifted  down  stream ;  there  wasn't  a  rascal  on  it ;  the  current 
carried  it  against  the  bank,  where  it  caught  fast." 


THE  GNU. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

ON  THE  CREST  OF  THE  HILL. 

WHEN  Jack  Harvey  explained  the 
reason  for  his  conclusion,  his  friends 
were  satisfied,  only  wondering  that  they 
had  failed  to  note  the  signs  that  guided 
him  so  well. 

It  followed,  therefore,  that  while  no 
immediate  danger  from  the  source  threat- 
ened, there  were  wild  men  not  far  off, 
and  no  precaution  against  a  visit  from 
them  was  to  be  neglected. 

The  following  morning,  the  four 
white  persons,  accompanied  by  Pongo, 
the  Bushman,  rode  to  the  top  of  an  ele- 
vation, about  a  half  mile  from  camp,  to 
gain  a  survey  of  the  surrounding  country, 
and  to  settle  upon  their  plan  of  campaign,  as  it  may  be  termed.  Reaching  the 
crest  of  the  circular  hill,  covered  only  with  grass,  the  view  was  most  extended 
and  interesting. 

They  found  themselves  in  the  center  of  a  genuine  South  African  landscape. 
Far  to  the  northward  rose  a  ridge  of  mountains,  whose  crests  almost  pierced  the 
snow  line,  while  the  scores  of  square  miles  in  other  directions  were  broken  by 
winding  streams,  jungles,  broad  sweeping  plains,  swamps,  and  groves  that  gave  a 
variety  to  the  scene  that  would  have  delighted  the  heart  of  a  painter. 

While  the  rest  employed  their  eyes  in  the  pleasing  task  of  surveying  this  de- 
lightful picture,  Mr.  Godkin  made  good  use  of  his  glasses,  which  had  served  him  on 
former  occasions.  He  possessed  more  experience  than  any  of  his  companions  in 
hunting  wild  animals,  and  few  points  escaped  him.  It  may  be  said  that  his  view 
was  a  business  one,  for,  in  spite  of  the  sport  and  adventure  that  must  of  necessity 
accompany  their  stay  in  the  Dark  Continent,  the  expedition  had  its  definite  purpose 
in  coming  so  far,  and  there  was  no  time  to  be  thrown  away  in  diversions  or  side 
issues. 

The  most  interesting  feature  of  the  landscape  was  the  animate  portion  which 
gradually  impressed  itself  upon  the  vision  of  the  spectators. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  enumerate  the  different  animals  which,  at  various 
times,  were  discerned  from  this  elevation.  From  the  accounts  sent  me  by  Dick 
and  Bob  I  name  the  following : 

"9 


I2O 


ON   THE    CREST   OF   THE    HILL. 


The  spvvng-bok;  hartbeest;  black  and  white  antelopes;  saber  antelopes,  whose 
horns,  indeed,  resemble  formidable  weapons;  the  koodoo,  with  its  long,  spiral 
horns ;  the  curiously  marked  animal  called  the  harnessed  antelope ;  the  eland,  oi 
which  you  have  already  learned  something ;  and  the  gnu. 

To  the  north,  in  the  direction  of  the  high  mountains,  and  near  the  edge  of  a 
grove,  standing  close  to  the  bank  of  the  stream  which  passed  by  the  camp,  was  a 


THE  SABER  ANTELOPE. 

herd  of  elephants,  evidently  feeding.  Still  farther  off  could  be  discerned  a  half 
dozen  small  animals  in  the  middle  of  a  grassy  plain,  which  the  glass  proved  to  be 
elands,  a  graceful  species  of  antelope,  many  of  which  had  been  previously  met  on  the 
way  to  this  point. 

Far  beyond  these,  so  far,  indeed,  that  the  glass  failed  to  identify  them  of  a 
certainty,  were  several  moving  specks,  which  it  was  generally  agreed  were  horse- 
men, probably  the  party  of  Bushmen  with  whom  our  friends  had  had  such  a 


ON    THE    CREST    OF   THE    HILL. 


121 


stirring  encounter  a  short  time  before.     Inasmuch  as  they  were  receding,  and  must 
soon  pass  out  of  the  field  of  vision,  no  uneasiness  was  caused  by  sight  of  them. 

To  the  east  and  west,  at  varying  distances,  were  other  antelopes,  while,  as  Mr. 
Godkin  declared,  the  thick  grass  along  the  streams  and  the  muddy  waters  was  likely 
to  give  shelter  to  hippopotami,  rhinoceroses  and  crocodiles.  It  was  not  likely, 
either,  that  much  of  a  search  was  required  to  beat  up  lions,  panthers,  hyenas  and 
leopards  from  their  hiding-places. 


THE  HARNESSED  ANTELOPE. 


That  which  specially  interested  the  hunters,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  general 
survey,  was  five  animals,  grazing  less  than  a  mile  off,  near  the  stream  that  wound 
around  the  foot  of  the  elevation.  The  spot  was  comparatively  free  from  the  tall 
weeds  so  abundant  in  the  vicinity  of  the  camp,  and  evidently  afforded  excellent 
pasturage. 

"What  the  mischief  do  you  call  them  ?"  asked  Jack  Harvey,  handing  the  glasses 
to  their  owner. 

"  Oryxes ;  if  you  propose  to  make  a  capture  of  any,  you  will  find  it  no  easy  task.'* 

"Why?" 


122 


ON    THE    CREST    OF    THE    HILL. 


"The  oryx  is  the  fleetest  quadruped  in  South  Africa,"  said  Mr.  Godkin.  "With 
the  exception  of  Apache,  my  mustang,"  said  the  Texan. 

"I  am  not  so  sure  about  that,  when  you  are  upon  his  back.  But  he  is  a  beauti- 
ful creature,  and  I  wish  we  could  secure  one  or  two." 

"He  is  the  animal  that  is  sometimes  called  the  gemsbok ? "  was  the  inquiring 
remark  of  Bob  Marshall. 


THE  ELAND. 

"That  is  because  of  his  resemblance  to  the  chamois  or  gemse  of  Europe,"  re- 
marked Dick  Brownell. 

The  director  nodded  his  head  to  signify  that  his  young  friend  was  right,  and  added. 
"  The  oryx  is  found  in  the  central  and  western  parts  of  South  Africa,  being  rare 
even  so  far  east  as  this.     The  male  is  not  quite  four  feet  high,  and  is  of  a  pale  buff 
color.     You  can  notice  their  peculiarities  by  aid  of  the  glass." 


ON    THE    CREST    OF    THE    HILL. 


123 


Further  inspection  showed  that  the  head  of  the  animal  was  shaped  like  that  of  the 
wild  ass,  while  his  mane  and  tail  were  those  of  the  horse.  Several  black  bands 
about  the  head  suggest  that  the  oryx  continually  wears  a  stall-collar. 

One  of  the  most  notable  characteristics  of  the  oryx  is  its  horns,  which  are  a  yard 
in  length,  ringed  at  the  base,  curving  very  slightly  backward,  and  of  a  glossy  black 
color.  These  constitute  the  most  effective  of  weapons,  as  our  friends  were  destined 
to  learn  sooner  than  they  anticipated. 

The  female's  appearance  differs  from  that  of  the  male  only  in  height,  which  is  a 
few  inches  less,  and  in  the  horns,  which  are  more  dainty  and  tapering.  These  are 


THE  AFRICAN  ELEPHANT. 

so  exactly  similar  that  when  the  oryx  is  viewed  from  the  side,  it  appears  to  have 
but  a  single  one. 

"I  am  going  for  them,"  JacI;  abruptly  declared ;  "they  are  so  slight  in  size  and 
strength  that  the  question  of  danger  doesn't  enter  into  the  business." 

"  You  will  think  different  if  you  run  against  those  horns,  which  are  as  bad  as  the 
tusks  of  the  wild  boar." 

"  I  don't  see  any  need  of  running  against  them,"  quietly  replied  the  Texan,  "for 
I  judge  the  critters  won't  attack  us." 

"They  are  not  apt  to  unless  driven  at  bay." 

Although  the  elevated  situation  of  the  party  rendered  them  conspicuous,  there 
were  no  evidences  that  they  had  attracted  the  attention  of  any  of  the  animals  in 
sight. 


124 


ON   THE    CREST    OP   THE    HILL. 


"You  see  that  grove  of  timber,  about  a  fourth  of  a  mile  to  the  north  of  where  the 
oryxes  are  feeding,"  said  Jack;  "well,  I'm  going  to  make  a  circuit,  so  as  to  enter 
from  the  other  side.  As  soon  as  I  get  beyond  the  wood,  I  want  you,  Bob  and  Dick, 
to  ride  toward  the  critters  from  this  side.  They'll  be  likely  to  make  for  the  grove, 
and  I'll  wait  till  they  enter  or  start  to  turn  off,  when  I'll  bring  the  old  lasso  into  usa 
once  more." 


ORYX. 

Looking  upon  tne  matter  as  settled,  Jack  started  off,  circling  so  far  to  the  left 
lhat  a  ride  of  several  miles  was  necessary  before  the  youths  could  leave  their  position. 

Mr.  Godkin  smiled.  "  He  hasn't  left  anything  for  you  and  me  to  do,  Pongo," 
he  said  to  the  Bushman,  "  but  I  don't  think  we  need  remain  idle.  Let's  take  a 
turn  to  the  southeast,  where  I  suspect  we  shall  find  something  worth  attention." 


ON    THE    CREST    OF    THE    HILL. 


125 


Pongo  was  glad  to  hear  this,  for  nothing  displeased  him  more  than  to  remain 
inactive,  even  during  the  sultry  hours  of  midday.  He  nodded  his  head  to  signify 
he  was  waiting  his  employer's  pleasure. 

Wishing  his  young  friends  success  in  their  enterprise,  the  director  bade  them 
good-by,  and  the  next  minute  the  boys  were  left  alone  on  the  crest  of  the  elevation. 


THE  KOODOO. 

"  I  think,"  said  Bob,  "  that  it  is  best  to  move  a  little  farther  back,  so  as  to  run 
no  risk  of  being  seen  by  Jack's  game." 

The  suggestion  was  followed.  The  youths  slipped  from  the  saddles,  after 
moving  their  ponies  so  far  down  the  slope  behind  them  that  they  were  out  of  sight 
of  everything  on  the  plain  to  the  north.  Then  they  seated  themselves  in  the  short 


126 


ON    THE    CREST    OF    THE    HILL. 


grass,  where  it  would  have  required  a  wonderfully  keen  eye  to  discern  them  from  a 
point  a  few  hundred  yards  away. 

The  objects  which  interested  them  to  the  exclusion  of  everything  else  were  the 
orxyes  and  the  Texan,  since  those  parties  promised  to  become  involved  within  a 
comparatively  brief  space  of  time. 

The  animals  were  still  cropping  the  grass,  some  of  the  number  occasionally  raising 
their  heads  and  looking  around.  The  action,  however,  was  due  to  a  habit  of  pre- 
caution, and  not  because  they  suspected  the  presence  of  any  danger. 

The  lads  wondered  that  they  had  not  detected  the  hunters  on  the  elevation,  for 
the  oryx,  like  all  the  antelope  kind,  is  a  suspicious  animal,  some  of  the  family  being 
extremely  difficult  to  approach,  even  by  the  most  experienced  sportsmen. 


"DOWN!"  WHISPERED  DICK. 

The  Texan  formed  a  picturesquely  graceful  figure  as  he  galloped  away  on  his 
beautiful  mustang.  The  animal  rose  and  sank  with  an  even  motion,  which  he  was 
able  to  continue  for  hours  without  fatigue,  while  Jack's  body  swayed  in  unison  with 
that  of  his  steed.  His  broad-brimmed  sombrero,  the  rifle  slung  over  his  shoulder, 
and  his  athletic  figure,  would  have  awakened  admiration  anywhere,  though  it  is 
safe  to  say  that  he  was  the  introducer  of  the  cowboy  costume  in  South  Africa. 

He  steadily  bore  to  the  left,  for  the  success  of  his  plan  depended  on  preventing 
the  oryxes  taking  alarm  before  he  reached  the  shelter  toward  which  he  wished  them 
driven. 

At  the  moment  when  he  was  at  the  farthest  point  west  of  the  game,  and  was 
beginning  to  bend  his  course  around  and  beyond  the  grove,  the  whole  five  gems- 
boks  suddenly  threw  up  their  heads,  and  looked  so  fixedly  at  the  hill  on  which  the 
lads  were  sitting,  that  they  believed,  for  the  moment,  they  were  discovered. 


ON    THE    CREST    OF   THE    HILL.  127 

"  Down !  "  whispered  Dick,  sinking  lower  in  the  grass,  "  or  we  shall  scare  them 
away." 

The  two  almost  lay  on  their  faces,  holding  their  heads  only  high  enough  to  keep 
the  animals  in  sight. 

Gazing  toward  the  hill  for  a  half  minute  or  so,  the  creatures  next  stared  so  earn- 
estly in  the  direction  of  the  distant  horseman  that  there  could  be  little  doubt  they 
observed  him. 

"  I  wonder  what  they  think  of  Jack,"  said  Bob,  unconsciously  lowering  his  voice, 
as  though  he  feared  that  any  tone  above  a  whisper  would  betray  them. 

"  If  they're  capable  of  thinking,  they  can't  help  admiring  the  handsome  fellow." 

"  That  is  well  enough,  if  they  are  not  frightened  off." 

"Jack  is  so  far  away  that  they  must  believe  there  is  no  cause  for  fear.  There  I 
that's  what  I  suspected." 

The  oryxes  resumed  grazing,  and,  a  few  minutes  later,  the  Texan  passed  out 
of  sight  beyond  the  grove. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

A  MISCALCULATION. 

'HE  disappearance  of  Jack  Harvey,  beyond  the  grove,  was  the  signal  for  the 
lads  to  start  the  oryxes  in  his  direction.  Since  they  were  liable  to  move  to 
the  west  in  their  flight,  Bob  Marshall  headed  his  pony  to  the  left,  following 
a  course  parallel  to  that  of  the  Texan,  though  not  so  far  westward,  while  Dick  moved 
directly  upon  the  creatures. 

By  this  action,  the  game's  most  natural  line  of  flight  would  be  toward  the  timber, 
because  the  stream  was  on  their  right,  and  they  were  not  likely  to  swim  it,  unless 
hard  pressed. 

Such  was  the  calculation  of  our  young  friends,  brt,  as  is  often  the  case  in  this 
world,  the  result  proved  very  different  from  what  was  anticipated. 

Dick  adopted  a  slower  pace  than  Bob,  because  he  had  less  distance  to  go,  and 
he  did  not  wish  to  start  the  animals  too  soon,  but  he  had  hardly  reached  the  base 
of  the  hill,  when  the  oryxes  threw  up  their  heads  with  such  manifest  alarm  that  he 
stopped. 

The  moment  he  did  so,  the  five  began  running  'round  in  short  circles,  as  though 
bewildered.  Then,  instead  of  fleeing  toward  the  grove,  where  Jack  Harvey  was 
awaiting  them,  the  herd  broke  for  the  west. 

Dick  uttered  a  shout,  to  warn  his  cousin,  but  he  had  already  observed  the  move, 
and  tried  to  check  it,  by  swinging  his  hat,  throwing  up  his  arms,  shouting  and  gal- 
ioping  toward  them. 

His  success  was  less  than  expected.  Three  of  the  oryxes  dashed  off  at  their 
highest  speed,  taking  a  course  neither  toward  him  nor  the  grove  of  trees,  but  mid- 
way between,  there  being  abundance  of  room  for  such  maneuvering. 

The  other  two,  after  making  several  feints  at  Dick  and  the  river,  finally  headed 
for  the  grove,  thus  giving  a  pleasant  expectation  to  the  Texan,  who  was  attentively 
gazing  out  upon  the  plain  from  among  the  trees. 

Bob  Marshall  was  surprised  by  the  obduracy  of  the  three,  who  acted  as  if  they 
had  some  suspicion  of  the  trap  laid  for  them,  though  that  was  hardly  possible.  He 
determined  to  force  them  to  do  as  he  wished,  and,  putting  his  pony  to  a  dead  run, 
he  aimed  to  intercept  the  trio. 

Despite  what  he  had  learned  of  the  fleetness  of  the  oryx,  he  was  confident  of  his 
ability  to  do  thisj  since  he  had  much  the  advantage,  on  account  of  the  shorter  dis- 
tance to  travel. 

But  the  fugitives  mixed  matters  once  more  by  separating.  At  the  first,  they 
ran  in  Indian  file,  a  large  male  at  the  head,  and  formed  an  exceedingly  pretty 


A    MISCALCULATION. 


I2Q 


picture,  skimming,  with  the  speed  of  the  wind,  across  the  plain.  Two,  after  edging 
farther  and  farther  from  the  horseman,  finally  circled  still  more,  so  as  to  double  on 
their  own  trail,  and  ran  back  toward  the  spot  where  they  had  been  grazing  a  short  time 
before,  only  to  be  still  further  terrified  by  Dick  Brownell,  who  sent  them  skurrying 
down  the  stream  on  a  line  which,  if  followed,  must  carry  them  clear  of  the 
grove. 

But  the  male,  who  was  evidently  the  leader  of  the  small  family  party,  showed  an 
unwillingness  to  be  driven  in  that  fashion.  He  bent  his  line  of  flight,  to  keep  out 
of  the  way  of  the  horseman  trying  so  determinedly  to  head  him  off,  but  he  would 


neither  turn  back  nor  veer  so  much  as  to  follow  the  other  two,  that  were  making  for 
the  grove. 

"  I'll  see  whether  you  can't  be  stopped,"  muttered  Bob,  compressing  his  lips 
and  urging  his  steed  to  the  utmost. 

Never  was  the  lad  more  astonished  at  the  speed  of  any  animal  than  at  that  of 
the  oryx.  With  his  head  thrown  back,  so  that  the  points  of  his  long  horns  seemed 
to  be  resting  on  his  haunches,  he  fairly  flew  over  the  ground,  his  graceful  legs 
doubling  beneath  his  body  with  a  swiftness  that  rendered  it  almost  impossible  for 
the  eye  to  perceive  them. 

Since  his  course  converged  with  that  of  his  pursuer,  the  male  steadily  bore  to 

9 


13° 


A    MISCALCULATION. 


the  right,  while  Bob  pushed  his  pony  still  harder.  He  was  confident  of  interposing 
himself  across  the  path  of  the  game,  ifiitil  he  found  that,  despite  his  desperate  ex- 
ertions, he  was  bound  to  fall  short  after  all. 

When  fifty  feet  separated  pursuer  and  fugitive,  the  oryx  shot  by,  like  an  arrow 
discharged  from  a  bow. 

Immediately  the  course  of  the  youth  became  parallel  to  that  of  the  fleeing 
animal,  and,  though  his  steed  was  doing  his  best,  he  steadily  fell  to  the  rear. 

"  I  could  shoot  you  easily  enough,  but  I  won't,"  said  Bob,  slackening  his  pace, 


THE   SPOTTED  HYENA. 

"for  you  are  too  pretty  to  harm.  I  wonder  whether  Jack  could  overhaul  you  with 
his  mustang." 

The  lad  kept  up  the  pursuit  a  short  distance  farther,  more  to  compel  the  oryx 
to  continue  its  astounding  speed  than  with  any  idea  of  running  it  down;  but  the 
pony,  seeing  the  idleness  of  pursuit,  voluntarily  slackened  its  pace,  until  it  drew 
down  to  a  moderate  gallop,  which  soon  ended  in  a  halt. 

The  fugitive  ran  but  a  short  distance  farther,  when  he  came  to  a  graceful  stop, 
broadside  to  his  pursuer,  at  whom  he  looked  with  an  exultant  air,  as  if  to  say: 


A   MISCALCULATION. 


13* 


"  Well,  young  man,  if  you  think 
you've  got  an  animal  there  that 
knows  anything  about  running, 
I'm  ready  to  give  him  another 


A  WARM  RECEPTION. 


lesson."  "  I  salute  you,"  said  Bob,  raising  his  hat  in  mock  homage,  "  for  you  have 
done  what  I  didn't  believe  possible.  But,"  he  added,  the  next  minute,  "look  out, 
or  you  will  get  into  trouble  that  you  don't  dream  of." 

The  flight  of  the  male  had  carried  him  into  taller  and  ranker  vegetation,  that 
rose  to  his  head.  A  short  distance  beyond  the  stationary  animal,  Bob  detected  a 
movement  which  showed  that  some  other  creature  was  in  the  grass. 

He  could  not  see  distinctly  enough  to  identify  it,  but  it  was  evident  that  it  had 
fixed  its  attention  on  the  oryx,  and  meant  to  attack  him.  The  strange  beast  looked 
like  a  large  dog,  and  was  creeping  so  stealthily  forward  that  the  oryx  appeared  to 
be  unaware  of  his  danger. 

Bob's  sympathies  were  entirely  with  the  graceful  creature,  and  he  was  on  the 
point  of  raising  his  rifle  to  venture  a  shot  in  his  behalf,  when  he  saw  it  was  too 
late.  The  beast  that  was  stealing  upon  the  oryx  was  a  spotted  hyena,  such  as  are 
found  only  in  South  Africa.  But  a  few  paces  separated  it  from  its  intended  victim, 
when  Bob  descried  the  animal,  crouching  low  in  the  grass  to  escape  observation. 

He  wondered  that  the  gemsbok  failed  to  see  his  danger,  though,  judging  from 
what  followed,  it  is  not  improbable  he  had  descried  it  before  the  horseman. 

At  the  moment  the  latter  was  in  the  act  of  raising  his  rifle,  the  hyena  moved  for- 
ward several  paces  with  extraordinary  quickness,  and  leaped  at  the  oryx,  which 
was  standing  with  his  head  turned  away. 

Escape  was  impossible,  but,  at  the  instant  the  hyena  rose  in  air,  the  oryx  seemed 
to  brace  his  legs  firmly,  and,  without  shifting  his  position,  gave  a  single  backward 
flirt  of  his  head.  The  hyena  landed  on  the  points  of  both  horns,  which  slid  into  ita 
body  as  if  they  were  daggers,  as  indeed  they  were. 


132 


A    MISCALCULATION. 


Before  the  assailant  could  make  use  of  his  claws,  the  oryx,  by  a  dexterous  flirt 
shook  him  off  his  crimsoned  horns,  and,  leaping  back  a  few  feet,  lowered  his  head, 
and,  with  one  bound,  drove  the  fearful  weapons  again  into  his  side. 

The  hyena  was  dying  before  the  second  stroke  was  delivered,  though  he  struck 
venomously  at  the  oryx,  which  easily  avoided  him,  and,  standing  back,  lowered  his 
head  once  more.  But  he  did  not  advance  again,  seeing  there  was  no  call  to  do  so. 

Bob  Marshall's  admiration  deepened.  It  seemed  to  him,  when  the  oryx  was  in 
full  flight,  that  he  was  the  most  harmless  of  animals.  So,  indeed,  he  was,  but  he 


^  ^ 

>a 

«7 


f~~— 


THE  STRIPED  HYENA. 

had  proven  what  he  could  do  when  forced  to  defend  himself.  Standing  erect,  with 
the  blood  dripping  from  his  graceful  horns,  towering  so  far  above  his  head,  he 
became  an  object  of  respect. 

Bob  could  now  appreciate  Mr.  Godkin's  remark  about  the  skill  of  the  gemsbok 
in  using  the  weapons  with  which  nature  provides  him.  Gifted  with  such  extraor- 
dinary speed,  in  addition  to  his  means  of  defense,  the  exploit  of  bringing  down  or 
capturing  his  kind  is  one  worthy  of  a  veteran  sportsman. 

It  is  a  fact  that  an  oryx  and  lion  have  been  found  dead  together,  mutually  slain, 
the  king  of  beasts  by  his  impalement  on  those  sharp-pointed  horns,  and  the  gemsbol' 


AN  UNEXPECTED  RECEPTION. —  Page  134. 


134 


A    MISCALCULATION. 


by  the  shock  of  the  collision.  Our  representation  of  the  reception  of  a  leopard  by 
one  of  the  plucky  animals  has  been  verified  more  than  once  in  the  Dark  Continent. 

As  the  animal  confronted  Bob  Marshall,  he  saw  a  danger  which  he  had  not  sus- 
pected up  to  that  moment.  What  would  become  of  him,  or  rather  his  steed,  if  the 
beast  should  charge  ? 

The  antelope  had  already  demonstrated  his  superiority  in  speed,  so  that  the 
pony  could  not  escape  by  flight,  and  a  single  thrust  of  those  bony  swords  would  be 
fatal. 

"There's  one  weapon,  however,  that  beats  his,"  added  the  youth,  following  his 
train  of  thought.  "  If  he  attacks,  I  will  meet  him  with  a  few  charges  from  my  gun, 
and  they  will  stop  him  before  he  can  reach  us." 

It  was  fortunate,  therefore,  for  this  particular  oryx,  that,  though  his  bfood  was 
roused,  and  he  was  quite  ready  to  assail  the  hunter,  from  whom  he  had  fled  in  such 
fright  a  few  minutes  before,  he  decided  to  leave  him  and  his  animal  alone,  provided 
they  returned  the  compliment. 

Bob,  however,  kept  an  eye  to  windward,  as  he  rode  off  to  join  his  friends,  not 
feeling  secure  against  a  demonstration  until  a  long  distance  separated  him  from  the 
oryx.  But  the  latter,  after  holding  his  ground  a  few  minutes,  turned  away,  as 
though  he  had  forgotten  the  recent  stirring  incidents  as  well  as  the  fact  that  the 
members  of  his  family  had  become  pretty  well  separated  during  the  flurry. 

Looking  toward  the  grove,  Bob  descried  Dick,  who  had  halted  a  short  distance 
from  it,  and  was  evidently  awaiting  him.  Nothing  of  the  other  oryxes  was  seen, 
and  the  youth  was  uncertain  whether  they  had  plunged  into  the  grove,  to  stir  up 
matters  with  Jack  Harvey,  or  had  made  their  escape  long  before. 

Dick,  as  may  be  supposed,  was  deeply  interested  in  the  story  his  cousin  had 
to  tell. 

"Something  has  taken,  or  is  taking  place  in  the  wood,"  remarked  the  former, 
"and,  from  what  you  have  related,  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  Jack  has  found  his  con- 
tract bigger  than  he  thought.  Let's  find  out." 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE    HORNS    OF   A   DILEMMA. 

'HE  young  hunters  struck  an  easy  gallop  toward  the  grove  of  timber,  whither 
they  had  driven  a  couple  of  oryxes  for  Jack  Harvey  to  capture. 

Despite  their  confidence  in  the  Texan's  bravery  and  skill,  they  were  not 
without  some  misgiving,  based  on  the  natural  mistake  any  one  was  liable  to  make 
respecting  the  graceful,  fleet-footed  animals  that  know  how  to  use  their  horns 
so  well. 

This  uneasiness  was  suddenly  increased  by  what  took  place  while  they  were  yet 
some  distance  from  the  timber.  One  of  the  creatures  dashed  into  sight,  leaping 
and  cavorting  in  the  most  extraordinary  manner.  It  seemed  to  be  standing  on  its 
hind  legs,  then  balancing  itself  on  its  front  ones,  whirling  around,  darting  hither 
and  thither,  and,  in  fact,  disporting  itself  like  an  oryx  gone  clean  daft. 

There  was  a  hint  of  the  cause  of  this  frantic  performance,  for  the  sombrero  of 
Jack  Harvey  was  pierced  through  the  top  by  both  horns,  and  it  had  slid  down  to 
their  base,  where  it  had  settled  over  the  pretty  eyes  of  the  creature. 

The  oryx  was  in  the  situation  of  a  man  that  has  a  hat  jammed  inextricably  over 
his  face,  and  its  wild  performances  were  with  a  view  to  relieving  itself  of  the  exas- 
perating annoyance,  which  seemed  to  baffle  its  frantic  efforts. 

About  all  it  could  do  was  to  strike  at  it  with  its  fore  feet,  and  flirt  its  head.  Sev- 
eral times  the  hat,  with  its  rattlesnake  band,  appeared  to  rise  a  short  way  up  the 
supports,  as  if  about  to  part  company  with  them,  but  settled  back  in  place,  and 
resisted  every  attempt  to  dislodge  it. 

But  for  the  serious  phase  of  this  performance,  the  boys  would  have  made  the 
wood  ring  with  laughter,  for  a  funnier  exhibition  cannot  be  imagined;  but  they  were 
too  much  alarmed  about  the  Texan. 

"  I  am  afraid  he  has  been  gored  by  the  gemsbok,"  said  Bob,  in  a  scared  voice, 
"  and  is  in  need  of  help,  if  indeed  he  is  not  killed." 

"  There  is  little  time  to  lose,"  added  Dick,  as  much  terrified  as  his  cousin  ;  "we'll 
leave  our  ponies  here,  and  stop  just  long  enough  to  capture  this  animal,  which  looks 
like  a  female." 

On  reaching  the  other  side  of  the  grove,  where  he  had  stopped  to  secure  one  of  the 
oryxes,  Jack  Harvey  had  dismounted  and  left  his  mustang  at  the  farther  boundary. 
The  intervening  trees  and  vines  were  sufficient  to  shut  out  all  view  of  the  plain  on 
which  the  animals  were  feeding.  Knowing  the  timid  nature  of  the  antelope  kind, 
he  deemed  it  necessary  to  keep  himself  and  horse  out  of  sight  as  long  as  he  could. 

By  leaving  his  steed,  he  was  invisible  to  the  approaching  creatures,  until  they 
should  penetrate  the  grove  for  at  least  half  its  width.  The  density  of  the  timber 


136 


THE    HORNS    OF    A    DILEMMA. 


rendered  it  almost  impossible  to  use  the  pony  to  advantage  in  capturing  any  animal 
within  the  wood.  Consequently,  it  was  wise,  in  more  than  one  sense,  to  follow  the 
course  he  adopted. 

The  Texan  paused,  lasso  in  hand,  with  rifle  slung  over  his  back,  about  a  dozen 
yards  from  the  edge  of  the  timber  which  the  gemsboks  were  approaching.    He  stood 


GONE  CLEAN  DAFT. 


behind  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  which  hid  his  entire  body,  and  peeped  out  at  the  plain 
where  the  game  were  feeding. 

He  saw  the  scattering  of  the  drove,  and  followed  Bob  Marshall  with  his  eyes  as 
he  chased  the  large  male  to  the  westward,  and  noted  the  break  that  two  others  made 
for  the  strip  of  land  between  the  grove  and  the  river.  The  next  minute,  he  per- 


THE    HORNS    OF    A    DILEMMA.  13? 

ceived  that  a  couple  were  heading  toward  the  spot  where  he  was  standing,  and  were 
quite  sure  to  pass  within  reach. 

"  That  suits  me,"  he  said  to  himself ;  "  I  only  wish  they  would  come  close  enough 
to  lasso  both  at  the  same  time." 

The  Texan  had  not  long  to  wait.     The  pretty  creatures  approached  at  a  swift 
gallop,  the  male  leading  the  dainty  female  by  a  few  paces,  and  entered  the  grove  at 
a  point  which  would  bring  both  within  a  biscuit's  toss  of  where  he  was  standing. 
Whizz  ! 

At  the  critical  moment  the  loop  dropped  ever  the  long  horns  of  the  male,  and 
Jack  quickly  coiled  the  other  end  round  a  sapling  at  his  elbow. 

The  oryx  was  checked  so  suddenly  that  he  was  thrown  to  the  ground  with  con- 
siderable force.  Before  he  could  rise,  his  captor  was  kneeling  over  him  with  one 
of  the  horns  grasped  in  either  hand.  He  was  afraid  the  noose  would  slip  along  the 
smooth  length,  and  allow  the  animal  to  free  himself  and  dash  off. 

The  instant  his  muscular  hands  closed  around  the  glossy  horns  at  the  base,  Jack 
gained  a  vivid  idea  of  the  capacity  of  those  weapons  to  do  harm.  They  felt  warm 
at  the  base,  as  though  throbbing  with  the  vitality  of  the  owner,  which  continued  his 
fierce  effort  to  rise  to  his  feet.  Not  only  that,  but  he  tried  to  strike  his  enemy  with 
the  horns,  curving  his  nose  between  his  fore  legs  and  flirting  the  weapons  outward. 
His  position,  however,  prevented  any  effectiveness,  and  Jack  found  no  difficulty  in 
holding  his  advantage. 

That  his  precaution  was  wise  was  proven  by  the  fact  that,  the  moment  he  seized 
the  horns,  the  noose,  which  had  closed  tightly  around  the  base,  slipped  'ialf  way  to 
the  tips.  Had  the  horns  been  spiral,  like  those  of  the  koodoo,  or  had  th  y  spread  at 
the  top,  they  would  have  formed  an  excellent  support  for  the  lasso,  bu.  I  have  re- 
ferred to  their  perfect  similarity  and  evenness,  which  would  have  made  it  easy  for 
the  oryx  to  slide  the  rope  off,  had  he  been  free  to  make  the  attempt. 

Holding  the  beautiful  head  flat  against  the  earth,  Jack  whipped  th  3  noose  over 
the  fore  leg  of  the  prisoner,  where,  by  drawing  it  taut,  he  could  hold  him  fast  against 
all  struggles.  The  flesh  was  yielding,  and  the  irregular  contour  of  the  limb  pre- 
vented the  rope  being  shaken  off. 

The  task  would  have  been  simple  for  the  cowboy,  but  for  an  unexpected  inter- 
ruption. 

At  the  moment  the  male  was  thrown,  the  female  whisked  by  in  full  flight.  The 
sight  of  the  mishap  of  her  mate,  however,  brought  her  to  a  sudden  stop,  and, 
wheeling  about  with  her  head  aloft,  she  stared  wonderingly  at  the  scene. 

With  more  devotion  than  most  animals  would  have  shown  under  such  trying  cir- 
cumstances, she  rushed  to  the  help  of  her  overturned  lord.  Jack  noticed  her  danc- 
ing around  and  preparing  to  gore  him.  He  saw  that  she  must  be  given  attention, 
if  he  wished  to  save  himself  from  exceedingly  unpleasant  consequences. 

But  he  did  not  dare  rise  from  the  ground  until  he  had  the  male  fast,  for  he  was 
determined  to  hold  him  at  all  hazards.  The  necessity  of  keeping  an  eye  on  both 
made  this  difficult.  He  could  have  ended  the  trouble  by  killing  the  female  with 


138 


THE    HORNS    OF    A    DILEMMA. 


one  of  his  revolvers,  but  her  affection  for  her  companion  gave  him  the  hope  that  he 
might  also  secure  her.  At  the  moment  the  latter  lowered  her  head  with  the  inten- 
tion of  goring  him,  he  snatched  off  his  sombrero  and  tossed  it  toward  her,  intending 
to  bewilder  her  until  he  could  secure  the  male.  His  skill  with  the  lasso  enabled 
him  to  drop  the  hat  in  place,  and  the  upward  flirt  which  she  gave  at  the  same 
moment  sent  the  points  of  the  horns  through  the  crown,  the  hat  sliding  down  to 
the  base  and  veiling  the  lustrous  eyes  of  the  lady. 

"That's  rough  on  my  old  sombrero,"  said  Jack,  laughing  at  the  success  of  his 
essay,  "but  I  don't  believe  she  will  hurt  it  past  mending,  which  wouldn't  be  the 
case  with  me,  if  she  should  jam  those  confounded  horns  through  my  body." 


THE   ADDAX. 

Instantly  the  female  forgot  her  helpless  partner,  and  began  frantic  efforts  to  dis- 
entangle the  hat  from  her  horns.  She  pranced  about,  now  on  her  hind  feet  and 
then  on  her  fore  ones.  She  inflicted  more  than  one  severe  bruise  on  herself,  by 
striking  the  trees  and  branches  about  her,  and  quickly  emerged  on  the  open  plain, 
where  her  grotesque  performances  attracted  the  wonderment  of  Bob  Marshall  and 
Dick  Brownell. 

It  took  Jack  Harvey  but  a  few  moments  to  secure  the  male,  when  he  stepped 
back  and  allowed  him  to  rise.  He  bounded  to  his  feet  as  nimbly  as  an  acrobat,  and, 


THE    HORNS    OF    A    DILEMMA.  139 

dropping  his  head,  plunged  at  the  astonished  Texan,  who  leaped  behind  the  large 
trunk,  just  in  time  to  escape  the  charge. 

Instead  of  giving  up  the  effort,  the  oryx  followed  Jack,  who  never  traveled 
around  a  tree  so  quickly  in  all  his  life. 

Fortunately,  this  performance  speedily  "wound  up"  the  animal,  else  the  Texan 
might  have  received  more  than  one  sharp  puncture. 

"While  you're  unwinding,"  he  said,  "I'll  take  a  look  at  my  sombrero  —  that  is, 
if  enough  is  left  to  look  at." 

Reaching  the  edge  of  the  wood,  he  saw  that  Bob  and  Dick  had  also  dismounted, 
and,  leaving  their  horses  free,  were  trying  to  capture  the  cavorting  female. 

"  Look  out  for  her  horns  !  "  he  called,  observing  that  they  were  trying  to  get 
near  enough  to  seize  her. 

"  Don't  fear  for  us,"  replied  Bob,  who,  like  his  companion,  was  immeasurably 
relieved  to  see  their  friend  unharmed. 

"  I'm  obliged  to  you  for  your  efforts  to  save  my  hat,  but  I  don't  want  you  to  run 
too  much  risk  :  shall  I  lend  a  hand  ?  " 

"Attend  to  your  own  animal  and  leave  us  alone " 

While  the  words  were  in  the  lad's  mouth,  he  made  a  sudden  bound  and  grasped 
one  horn  of  the  female,  Dick  instantly  doing  the  same  on  the  other  side. 

It  was  no  easy  task  for  their  united  strength  to  hold  her  captive,  and,  had  she 
not  been  well-nigh  exhausted  from  her  struggles,  she  might  have  escaped. 

Dick  whipped  off  the  troublesome  hat,  and  flung  it  aside  for  its  owner.     The 
instant  the  female  saw  her  captors,  she  renewed  her  resistance,  and  for  a  minute  or 
two  it  was  an  even  thing ;  but  the  youths  were  plucky,  and  held  on  till  she  surren 
dered. 

Jack  ran  forward,  picked  up  his  hat,  and  went  back  to  his  own  prize. 

He  found  him  pretty  well  subdued,  though  he  stamped  and  lowered  his  head  in 
a  threatening  manner  for  some  minutes.  Finally,  seeing  he  was  worn  out,  the  captor 
released  him  from  the  fastening,  and  whistled  for  his  mustang  to  follow  him. 

The  steed  came  forward,  causing  another  panic  on  the  part  of  the  oryx.  He 
made  no  move,  however,  against  Jack,  who  speedily  led  him  out  on  the  plain,  where 
a  brief  consultation  was  held  with  the  youths,  who  were  grimly  holding  fast  to  their 
prize. 

It  was  decided  to  leave  the  ponies  to  follow  them  to  camp,  while  the  three  gave 
their  undivided  attention  to  the  prisoners.  Bob  walked  on  the  right,  grasping  one 
horn,  while  Dick  did  the  same  on  the  left.  Jack  Harvey  kept  close  to  the  head  of 
the  male,  so  as  to  seize  his  weapons  should  he  become  obstreperous. 

The  return  to  camp  was  tiresome,  but  it  was  reached  without  mishap,  and  the 
two  prizes  were  safely  placed  in  a  portion  of  the  stockades  reserved  for  captives. 

I  may  state  just  here  that  the  addax  of  North  Africa,  as  you  will  observe  from 
the  illustration,  bears  some  resemblance  to  the  oryx. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

THE   WHIZZ    OF   A   BOOMERANG. 

|  ACK  HARVEY  and  his  young  friends  having  selected  their  field  of  operations, 
Mr.  Godkin  did  the  same  for  himself  and  Pongo,  the  Bushman. 

Fully  a  mile  southwest  of  the  elevation  where  they  had  parted  company, 
stretched  a  jungle  several  miles  in  extent.  Most  of  it  appeared  to  be  on  higher 
ground  than  the  rest  of  the  plain,  and  within  its  gloomy  depths  were  sure  to  be 
found  birds,  beasts  and  reptiles  without  number. 

"  We'll  go  there,"  was  the  decision  of  the  director,  who  struck  his  horse  into  a 
brisk  gallop,  closely  followed  by  his  assistant.  A  short  distance  passed,  and  they 
came  abreast,  continuing  thus  until  close  to  the  jungle,  where  they  meant  to  make 
their  investigations. 

"  Now,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  when  they  drew  up  their  ponies,  for  a  moment,  on  the 
margin,  "  the  trees  are  too  close  together,  and  there  are  too  many  vines  for  us  to 
ride  in  there.  We  will  dismount  and  look  around  on  foot.  Do  you  think  your  horse 
will  stand  ?  " 

"Yes  —  he  stand,"  replied  the  Bushman,  who  had  learned  enough  of  the  saga- 
cious animal  to  feel  full  confidence  in  him. 

"  Provided  he  isn't  disturbed  by  some  wild  beast  or  reptile,  when  we  would  ex- 
pect him  to  take  care  of  himself." 

Numbers  of  birds,  with  brilliant  plumage,  were  seen  hopping  among  the  branches 
overhead.  It  was  noticeable  that  those  with  the  most  gorgeous  dress  possessed 
voices  of  hideous  harshness.  To  have  sat  within  the  hearing  of  their  discordant 
screeching  would  have  driven  a  person  almost  wild. 

But  the  hunters  had  no  special  interest  in  them,  though  they  expected  to  obtain 
some  valuable  specimens  before  their  return. 

The  horses,  being  left  free,  began  cropping  the  grass,  which  was  green  and  suc- 
culent, close  to  the  margin  of  the  jungle,  where  it  was  partly  screened  from  the 
sun's  scorching  rays.  Possibly  they  incurred  some  risk  in  doing  this,  but,  since  it 
may  be  said  they  were  always  in  danger  when  traversing  the  Dark  Continent,  they 
had  to  take  care  of  themselves,  at  times,  as  best  they  could. 

The  men  stepped  as  guardedly  as  a  couple  of  Indian  scouts  in  an  enemy's 
country,  peering  into  the  dismal  depths  of  the  jungle,  on  the  watch  for  anything 
that  promised  game  or  plunder. 

"  St !  "  hissed  Pongo,  stopping  short,  directly  behind  his  employer,  "  me  see 
somethin'  then." 

"  What  did  it  seem  to  be  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Godkin,  who  had  detected  a  suspicious 
rustling.  "  Snake  —  dere  he  be  !  "  said  Pongo. 

140 


THE    WHIZZ    OF   A   BOOMERANG.  141 

The  white  man  had  caught  sight  of  the  reptile  at  the  same  moment.  It  appeared 
to  have  been  stretched  in  a  small  open  space,  near  the  plain,  where  the  light  could 
strike  it,  for  some  of  the  poisonous  serpents  of  Asia  and  Africa  find  enjoyment  in 
the  glare  of  the  sun  far  beyond  the  power  of  a  white  person  or  ordinary  animal  to 
stand. 

The  hunters  were  advancing  directly  toward  the  spot  where  it  lay,  when  it 
reared  its  head  a  few  inches  and  swiftly  crawled  into  the  jungle.  Instead,  however, 
of  continuing  its  flight,  it  halted  on  the  margin,  coiled  itself  like  the  American 
rattlesnake,  and  waited  for  the  couple  to  come  nigh  enough  for  it  to  strike. 

Some  persons  see  beauty  in  snakes,  but  I  confess  I  never  could  feel  anything 
but  horror  and  disgust  in  looking  at  them.  There  is  something  in  the  sight  of  a 
crawling  reptile  which  sends  a  shudder  over  me,  and  I  believe  the  feeling  is  shared 
by  nine-tenths  of  mankind. 

But  those  who  can  find  beauty  in  the  creature  whose  head,  the  Scriptures  say, 
the  woman's  seed  shall  bruise,  would  have  been  charmed  with  the  reptile  on  which 
Mr.  Godkin  and  Pongo  gazed. 

It  was  about  four  feet  in  length,  slender  and  tapering,  with  crimson  and  yellow 
bands  along  its  back,  which  changed  to  greenish  colored  spots  at  the  neck  and  tail. 
The  belly,  as  is  the  rule,  was  of  a  whitish  tint. 

The  head  was  reared  nearly  a  foot,  from  the  center  of  the  coil,  and  was  as  broad 
and  flat  as  a  child's  hand.  Just  back  of  the  small,  glittering  eyes  rose  two  horny 
protuberances,  of  the  oddest  imaginable  appearance.  The  mouth  was  dispropor- 
tionately large,  and,  at  intervals,  partly  opened.  From  this  darted  forth  a  crimson 
tongue,  or  rather  a  double  tongue,  for  it  seemed  to  be  bifurcated  at  the  root.  It 
curled  about  hither  and  thither,  with  such  quickness  that,  at  times,  the  mouth 
appeared  to  be  crossed  by  several  tiny  streaks  of  blood. 

"  I  have  seen  just  such  a  snake  as  that  in  the  Deccan,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin, 
after  studying  it  a  minute,"  and  it  is  one  of  the  most  venomous  in  the  world  —  fully 
as  bad  as  the  cobra  de  capello." 

"Want  to  catch  him  ?  "  asked  Pongo,  with  a  grin. 

"  No,  sir;  I  ain't  hunting  snakes  for  Mr.  Barnum;  there  are  plenty  of  them  iu 
this  part  of  the  world,  but  I'll  let  him  buy  what  he  wants  of  Reiche,  in  New  York, 
or  his  old  friend  Hagenbeck,  in  Hamburg.  But  do  you  think  you  could  catch  him, 
Pongo  ?  " 

"  Yes,  me  catch  him." 

"How?" 

"  Kill  him  first." 

"  All  right;  the  best  use  you  can  put  such  creatures  to  is  to  kill  them;  that's 
always  my  motto." 

The  particular  specimen  of  which  I  am  writing  quickly  proved  its  demon-like 
viciousness. 

Its  action  in  coiling  and  rearing  its  head  was  a  challenge  to  the  hunters 
to  attack  it.  It  made  not  the  slightest  sound,  but  its  bead-like  eyes  scintillated 


142 


THE    WHIZZ    OF    A    BOOMERANG. 


with  rage,  and  it  plainly  wished  and  expected  them  to  come  closer.  Mr.  Godkin 
feinted  to  do  so.  Instantly  its  head  rose  several  inches,  and  was  drawn  back,  just 
as  a  man  does  when  about  to  deliver  a  blow. 

"No;  I  thank  you,"  laughed  the  white  man,  recoiling;  "I  don't  mean  to  give 
you  a  chance  to  knock  me  out  in  that  fashion." 

The  failure  of  the  parties  to  advance  seemed  to  convince  the  serpent  that  they 
were  afraid  of  it,  and  it  now  endeavored  to  coax  them  into  coming  closer.  Uncoil- 
ing, it  crawled  slowly  in  the  jungle,  its  head  i.iised  but  a  few  inches,  and  its  whole 
manner  that  of  alarm,  as  if  fearful  of  being  pursued. 

And  yet  nothing  was  clearer  than  that  it  was  seeking  to  draw  the  hunters  after  it. 

Pongo  now  took  a  step  in  advance. 
Instantly  the  reptile  stopped,  but  it 
did  not  resume  its  coil,  afraid  that  if 
it  did  so,  the  man  would  be  fright- 
ened into  retreating  again.  But 
another  pace  forward  and  the  snake 
would  have  gone  into  coil  like  a 
flash. 

The  Bushman  took  that  step, 
bringing  himself  fearfully  close  to 
the  little  demon,  which  looped  itself 
like  Jack  Harvey's  lasso,  the  head 
instantlyrising  fullyeighteen  inches, 
and  thrown  far  back,  until  it  almost 
touched  the  ground  on  the  farther 
side  of  the  native. 

What  a  lightning-like  blow  he 
could  deliver  from  that  position  ! 

•''  Look  out !  he's  going  to  strike  ! 
You're  too  near ! "  called  the  a- 
larmed  Mr.  Godkin. 

But  the  action  of  the  reptile  was, 
no  quicker  than  that  of  the  Bush- 
man, who  let  fly  with  his  boomerang,  clipping  off  the  head  of  the  serpent  with  such 
precision  that  it  followed  the  implement  for  a  dozen  feet,  dropping  in  the  bushes, 
just  before  the  boomerang  struck  a  tree,  a  few  feet  beyond. 

The  body  whipped  and  threshed  the  ground  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then  became 
still. 

"  Oogh  !  "  muttered  Pongo,  with  an  expression  of  disgust,  as  he  came  back,  after 
recovering  his  favorite  weapon;  "me  don't  like  kill  snakes  with  him  —  don't  want 
to  get  him  blood  on  it." 

"  I  intended  to  practice  a  little  with  my  revolver,  but  you  took  the  sport  out  of 
my  hands." 


"LOOK  OUT!  HE'S  GOING  TO  STRIKE!" 


THE    WHIZZ    OF    A    BOOMERANG.  143 

The  director  suggested  that  the  hunt  on  which  they  were  engaged  could  be 
prosecuted  with  better  success  if  they  separated.  That  is,  while  he  continued  along 
the  side  of  the  jungle  in  one  direction,  Pongo  should  take  the  opposite.  The  chance 
of  discovering  something  would  thus  be  doubled,  while  neither  would  go  too  far  to 
run  to  the  help  of  the  other,  if  needed. 

A  sight  which  pleased  each  followed  this  brief  parting.  The  two  horses  had 
been  left  behind,  cropping  the  grass,  but  when  Mr.  Godkin's  saw  him  moving  off 
alone,  he  followed  him,  keeping  some  distance  behind  and  out  on  the  plain,  as 
though  he  knew  he  ought  not  to  interfere  with  any  plan  he  had  in  view. 

Pongo  did  not  expect  his  own  pony  to  show  any  such  regard.  He  was,  there- 
fore, interested  and  expectant  as  he  saw  the  handsome  creature  standing,  with  head 
elevated,  and  watching  him  approaching,  his  course  necessarily  leading  him  toward 
the  animal. 

Affecting  not  to  see  him,  the  Bushman  passed  beyond,  but  had  not  gone  far, 
when  the  sound  of  hoofs  told  him  he  was  followed,  as  though  the  animal  was  un- 
willing to  part  company  with  his  new  master.  The  African  stopped  and  awaited 
his  approach. 

The  pony  came  forward  without  timidity,  and  extended  his  nose  for  his  master 
to  stroke  his  forehead.  Pongo  did  this  for  several  minutes,  adding  several  playful 
pats  on  the  neck,  much  to  the  pleasure  of  the  animal. 

In  a  country  where  man  seemed  arrayed  against,  not  only  those  of  his  kind,  but 
all  the  natural  inhabitants,  as  they  in  turn  were  arrayed  against  him,  there  was 
something  touching  in  this  exhibition  of  affection  on  the  part  of  a  dumb  animal  for 
one  whom  a  few  days  before  it  had  never  seen. 

The  Bushman  was  not  indifferent  to  such  proof  of  the  confidence  of  the  beast, 
and  he  forgot,  for  a  brief  while,  the  duty  that  had  tak^en  him  hither,  and  devoted  the 
time  to  petting  the  faithful  animal,  as  he  would  have  done  with  a  member  of  his  own 
family. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

TURNING   ABOUT. 

ARDLY  more  than  a  hundred  yards  from  the  spot  where  Pongo  had  stopped  to 
pet  his  new  steed,  he  came  upon  a  large,  branching  tree,  standing  not  on  the 
edge  of  the  jungle,  but  fully  a  rod  out  on  the  grassy  plain.     He  recognized 
it  as  one  that  bore  a  peculiar  fruit,  something  like  the  hazel-nut  of  our  own  country. 

But  it  was  not  the  tree  which  interested  the  native  so  much  as  that  which  he 
saw  under  it. 

One  of  the  largest  wild  boars  on  which  he  had  ever  gazed  was  feeding  upon  the 
nuts,  of  which  he  was  very  fond.  Some  of  the  branches  of  the  tree  spread  so  far  as 
to  enter  the  jungle,  and  since  the  animal  happened  to  be  browsing  beneath  this 
point,  he  had  been  invisible  until  the  Bushman  ran  almost  against  him. 

There  could  be  no  mistaking  his  identity.  He  stood  as  high,  almost,  as  a  cow, 
was  long,  gaunt  and  thin,  of  a  dark  brown  color,  and  covered  with  bristles,  which 
seemed  to  stand  erect  along  the  spine. 

The  most  noticeable  feature  of  those  animals  is  their  immense  tusks,  which, 
curving  outward  from  the  lower  jaw,  reach  a  length  of  eight  or  ten  inches.  Backed 
by  the  prodigious  strength  of  the  brute,  they  are  like  a  couple  of  Damascus  blades 
in  the  hands  of  a  master  swordsman. 

The  boar  is  hunted  in  the  forests  of  Germany  and  the  jungles  of  India  and 
South  Africa.  The  favorite  weapon  is  a  spear,  and  the  sport  should  always  be  con- 
ducted on  horseback.  The  hunter  of  Bengal  uses  a  weapon  less  than  seven  feet 
long,  the  shaft  being  of  bamboo,  weighted  with  lead  at  the  upper  end  and  with  a 
broad,  strong  blade.  It  is  held  firmly,  with  the  point  projecting  beyond  the  stirrup- 
iron,  so  that  when  the  boar  charges,  he  runs  on  the  spear.  In  Bombay  and  Hydera- 
bad, the  spear  is  longer  and  lighter  and  is  carried  underhand.  The  animals  are  hard 
to  kill,  and,  even  when  wounded,  they  often  escape  the  most  experienced  sportsmen. 

The  wild  boar  is  afraid  of  no  living  creature.  He  has  been  seen  to  refuse  to 
give  the  path  to  the  lion  or  tiger,  both  of  which  beasts  are  generally  wise  enough  to 
turn  out  and  let  him  go  by  unmolested.  With  those  frightful  tusks  he  can  dis- 
embowel a  panther  or  bear  as  easily  as  you  can  cut  apart  a  piece  of  cheese.  I  have 
known  one  of  them  to  drive  his  tusk  through  the  middle  of  a  sapling,  splitting  it 
into  kindling  wood. 

A  curious  fact  regarding  the  wild  hogs  is  that  when  they  are  young  they  are 
beautifully  striped.  These  markings  entirely  disappear  as  they  grow  older. 

The  bosch  vark,  or  bush  hog,  belongs  to  Southern  Africa,  and  is  a  formidable 
animal,  resembling  the  wild  boar  in  many  respects,  but  with  several  points  of  dif« 
ference  as  you  can  observe  from  the  illustration. 

i44 


TURNING    ABOUT. 


145 


The  babiroussa  belongs  to  Malacca.  Nature  is  kind  enough  to  furnish  him 
with  four  effective  tusks.  Those  of  the  upper  jaw,  instead  of  having  their  sockets 
point  downward,  are  curved  upward,  so  that  in  filling  the  curvatures  of  the  socket, 
they  pass  through  a  hole  in  the  upper  lip,  curving  so  sharply  over  the  face  that  they 
are  useless  as  a  means  of  defense. 

The  wart  hog  ranges  over  the  tropical  regions  from  Abyssinia  to  Caffraria.  His 
appearance  is  so  grotesque  that  I  am  sure  you  have  often  been  amused  in  viewing 
him. 


THE  BOSCH  VARK. 

Being  well   acquainted  with  the  wild  boar,  Pongo  stopped  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance to  survey  him.     His  more  prudent  horse  halted  several  rods  beyond. 

The  boar  continued  crunching  the  nuts,  which  were  quite  abundant,  though  he 
had  been  engaged  so  long  in  feeding  that  the  supply  must  have  been  considerably 
reduced.  You  will  perceive  that  Pongo  was  not  loaded  for  boar,  and  he  did  not 
care  to  open  fight  with  this  one,  though  confident  he  could  turn  his  boomerangs  to 
account  against  him. 
10 


1^.6  TURNING    ABOUT. 

The  hog  was  in  continual  motion.  At  first  his  haunches  were  turned  toward 
the  native,  then  his  side  and  next  his  head.  The  tough  snout  occasionally  plowed 
up  the  earth,  which  was  ridged  in  many  places,  but  he  showed  no  interest  in  any- 
thing except  the  delicious  food  with  which  he  was  rilling  himself. 

Suddenly  he  threw  up  his  snout,  and  holding  his  jaws  motionless,  with  the  dirt 
dropping  from  his  nose  and  the  partly  crushed  nuts  from  his  jaws,  he  stared  at  the 
man,  whose  presence  he  seemed  to  discover  for  the  first  time. 

" 


ETHIOPIAN  WART  HOG. 

Pongo  laid  his  hand  on  one  of  his  boomerangs,  for  he  felt  the  situation  was  be- 
coming interesting.  None  knew  better  than  he  the  power  of  those  beasts,  for  the 
long,  ridged  scar  on  his  hip  was  made  by  the  tusk  of  a  boar  that  clove  the  body  of 
the  horse  he  was  riding  half  asunder. 

It  seemed  to  the  Bushman  that  the  tusks  before  him  were  fully  a  foot  long. 
White,  solid  and  gleaming,  they  were  embedded  in  bone  that  was  backed  up  by 
irresistible  muscle. 

A  brief  survey  was  enough  for  the  brute  to  take  in  all  the  points  of  the  intruder 
upon  his  domain,  and,  without  lowering  his  head,  and  emitting  only  a  slight  snort, 


TURNING    ABOUT.  147 

he  started  on  a  moderate  trot  toward  the  presumptuous  hunter.  The  latter  thought 
it  &  good  time  to  make  a  change  of  location,  and  he  proceeded  to  do  so,  without 
lingering  on  the  way. 

Pongo's  first  impulse  was  to  take  to  one  of  the  trees,  into  which  he  was  confident 
of  clambering  before  the  tusks  could  reach  him.  But,  observing  that  his  pony  was 
near,  he  started  for  him.  Before,  however,  he  could  come  up  with  the  steed,  he 
perceived  that  the  boar  had  given  up  the  pursuit,  and  had  returned  to  crunching 
nuts  beneath  the  tree.  It  looked  as  if  he  was  afraid  the  visitor  meant  to  root  out 
the  food  from  under  his  nose,  and  he  only  cared  to  keep  him  at  a  distance. 

Pongo  walked  slowly  back,  stopping  farther  away  than  before.  Had  he  possessed 
a  gun,  he  could  have  brought  down  the  hog  without  trouble.  He  could  use  the 
boomerang  with  effect  against  him,  but  you  can  understand  that  it  was  an  awkward 
weapon  to  be  employed  for  such  purpose,  since  there  was  too  much  neck  to  be 
cloven  in  two,  as  he  had  done  with  the  ostrich  and  serpent. 

All  at  once,  the  boar  stopped  eating,  and,  without  looking  at  the  native,  began 
walking  along  the  side  of  the  jungle,  in  the  direction  that  Pongo  had  been  fol- 
lowing when  he  came  upon  him. 

The  Bushman  now  ran  out  to  where  his  horse  was  grazing,  and,  springing  upon 
his  back,  started  after  the  boar,  not  directly  behind  him,  but  a  short  distance  away 
from  the  trees,  the  courses  of  the  two  being  parallel.  The  animal  was  on  its  return 
to  his  lair,  which  could  not  be  far  off.  A  rocky  portion  of  the  jungle,  a  furlong 
ahead,  most  likely  was  the  location. 

The  Bushman  was  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  He  was  eager  for  a  bout  with  the  hog, 
but  he  held  him  in  considerable  awe,  and  Mr.  Godkin  was  too  far  off  to  be  summoned 
to  the  spot.  A  few  minutes  more  would  be  enough  for  the  fugitive,  if  he  may  be 
called  such,  to  reach  his  home,  from  which  it  would  be  impossible  to  dislodge  him. 

At  such  times,  when  the  boar  is  worried,  he  will  make  a  sudden  dash  out  upon 
the  dogs,  rip  several  of  them  to  death,  maiming  a  horse,  perhaps,  and  then  dart 
back  to  cover  before  any  of  the  hunters  can  drive  a  spear  into  his  body. 

Astride  of  his  fleet  steed,  Pongo  felt  safer  than  when  on  foot.  Determined  to 
give  the  animal  a  bout,  he  whipped  out  one  of  his  boomerangs  and  let  fly. 

True  to  its  aim,  the  weapon  circled  around  in  air,  as  though  aimed  at  any  point 
except  the  one  where  it  was  intended  to  strike,  but  turned  as  intended,  and  landed 
against  the  ribs  of  the  hog  with  a  thump  which  gave  out  a  sound  like  that  of  a  bass 
drum. 

It  was  so  violent,  indeed,  that  it  jarred  him  perceptibly,  though  it  inflicted  no 
cut,  nor  was  it  meant  to.  The  boar  never  stopped,  but  glanced  around,  as  if  to 
determine  the  point  whence  the  blow  came.  He  did  not  diminish  his  speed,  acting 
as  if  he  would  like  to  suggest  to  the  hunter  to  try  something  better  if  he  hoped  to 
annoy  him. 

Pongo  now  urged  his  horse,  and  he  broke  into  a  gallop.  Before  the  intervening 
distance  was  much  lessened,  the  boar  also  increased  his  pace. 

He  did  not  gallop,  but  trotted  with  astonishing  swiftness,  and  with  the  smooth- 


I48 


TURNING    ABOUT. 


ness  of  a  dog  following  his  master's  carriage.     The  pony,  realizing  what  was  wanted, 
let  himself  out,  and  the  fugitive  did  likewise,  his  pace  quickly  becoming  an  amazing 


one. 


A  moment  later,  the  horse  was  on  a  dead  run,  and  the  distance  between  him 
and  the  fugitive  diminished  sensibly. 

Pongo  did  not  stop  to  recover  his  boomerang,  intending  to  do  that  on  his  return, 
nor  did  he  throw  a  second  one,  for  nothing  was  to  be  gained  by  pounding  the  hog. 
Possibly  he  might  have  hewed  off  a  leg,  but,  I  am  glad  to  say,  the  hunter,  even 
though  a  native  African,  was  not  inclined  to  mutilate  a  creature  in  that  fashion. 

Such  a  race  must,  of  necessity,  be  brief.  The  boar  speedily  reached  a  point 
opposite  the  rocks  which  the  pursue  ^ad  fixed  upon  as  containing  his  lair.  That 


THE  BABIROUSSA. 

he  was  right,  was  shown  by  the  action  of  the  brute,  which  came  down  to  a  moderate 
trot,  with  his  snout  groping  along  the  slightly  worn  path,  as  if  searching  for  tiw 
door  to  his  dwelling. 

From  some  inexplainable  cause,  he  seemed  to  have  lost  his  bearings  for  the 
moment,  for  he  turned  about  and  came  back  several  yards,  then  wheeled,  and  re- 
sumed his  advance,  with  as  little  regard  to  the  horseman  seeking  to  harass  him, 
as  though  he  were  a  hundred  miles  away. 

The  Bushman  could  not  help  reflecting  on  the  splendid  opportunity  that  a  prop- 
erly-armed hunter  would  have  seen  in  the  bewilderment  of  the  hog.  Indeed,  the 
chance  was  so  good  that  he  decided  to  give  him  another  whack  with  a  boomerang, 
just  to  keep  things  moving. 


TURNING   ABOUT.  149 

He  was  in  the  act  of  drawing  the  weapon  from  his  waist,  when  a  faint  shout 
caused  him  to  turn  his  head.  Looking  around,  he  saw  that  Mr.  Godkin  had  mounted 
his  horse,  and  was  galloping  toward  him. 

The  native  wondered  whether,  with  the  aid  of  his  glasses,  he  had  learned  what 
was  going  on,  or  whether  he  wanted  assistance  in  some  emergency  that  had  arisen. 

Although  the  boar  had  made  one  demonstration  against  him,  Pongo  was  not 
looking  for  anything  of  the  kind,  since  his  whole  purpose  seemed  to  be  to  find  the 
entrance  to  his  home.  The  native  was  still  gazing  inquiringly  at  his  master,  when 
a  snort  and  prancing  of  his  pony  brought  his  attention  back  again. 

The  hog  seemed  to  have  become  enraged  at  his  failure  to  find  the  opening  for 
which  he  was  looking,  and,  probably,  in  some  dim  way,  he  associated  the  horseman 
with  his  trouble.  Be  that  as  it  may,  while  the  latter  was  looking  back,  the  fierce 
brute  charged  upon  him  like  a  hurricane. 

When  Pongo  caught  sight  of  him,  he  was  no  more  than  twenty  feet  off,  and 
coming  at  a  terrific  pace.  His  small  eyes  glowed  like  fire,  his  jaws  were  parted 
and  dripping  with  foam,  and,  altogether,  a  more  fearful  object  cannot  be  pictured. 

The  Bushman  had  no  time  to  use  his  weapon,  which,  as  I  have  said,  was  an 
awkward  one  for  such  an  emergency,  nor  had  his  nimble  pony  a  chance  to  wheel  to 
the  right  or  left,  nor  to  turn  and  flee,  as  he  would  have  done  had  his  rider  discov- 
ered h's  peri!  a  second  sooner. 


"HE  FELL  FROM  THE  BACK  OF  His  STEED."— Page  151. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

"ALL   TOGETHER." 

^|  EFORE  the  pony  could  change  his  direction,  the  brute  was  upon  him.     He 

r  ^     was  the  embodiment  of  fury,  as,  with  his  jaws  dripping  froth,  and  the  fright- 

y      ful  tusks  agleam,  he  charged  like  a  cyclone ;  but  the  steed  had  seen  his  peril 

before  his  master,  else  he  would  have  been  ordered  to  flee  in  time  easily  to  escape. 

At  the  instant  when  it  seemed  that  nothing  could  save  him,  the  horse,  squatting 
low,  made  a  tremendous  leap,  which  carried  him  and  his  rider  clean  over  the  head 
of  the  boar  that  thundered  beneath. 

The  effort  of  the  pony  was  entirely  unexpected  to  Pongo,  who  had  no  time  to 
prepare  himself,  and,  being  without  saddle,  he  fell  from  the  back  of  his  steed,  strik- 
ing the  plain  with  such  force  that,  for  a  few  seconds,  he  was  stunned. 

The  pony  ran  several  rods,  snorting  with  terror.  Then  he  circled  about,  and, 
though  apparently  anxious  to  give  his  master  help,  was  afraid  to  attempt  it. 

The  boar  made  a  vicious  upward  flirt  of  his  terrible  tusks  as  he  shot  under  the 
belly  of  the  steed,  and  must  have  grazed  the  glossy  hide  of  the  animal.  Then,  quick 
to  realize  his  failure,  and  seeing  the  prostrate  form  on  the  plain,  he  wheeled  and 
made  for  that. 

The  Bushman  was  not  entirely  senseless,  though  unable  to  rise  or  defend  him- 
self. In  a  vague  way,  he  knew  what  was  coming,  and,  instead  of  resisting,  lay  per- 
fectly still. 

The  scene  that  followed  was  extraordinary.  The  boar,  when  directly  upon  him, 
stopped  as  abruptly  as  if  he  had  run  against  a  stone  wall. 

He  had  but  to  lower  his  head  and  give  a  single  upper  cut,  to  cleave  the  breast 
open,  or  rip  the  thigh  to  the  bone,  but  he  made  no  sign.  Standing  motionless  a 
second  or  two,  he  uttered  a  sniff  as  of  disgust,  and  then  turned  and  trotted  toward 
the  entrance  to  his  home,  which  he  had  discovered  at  last. 

The  wild  boar  sometimes  displays  a  strange  chivalry  toward  a  fallen  foe.  In 
the  midst  of  a  terrific  fight,  when  the  hunter  sinks  helpless  to  the  earth,  suffering, 
perhaps^  from  fearfuJ  wounds,  the  brute  will  halt  and  wait  for  him  to  rise,  before  as- 
sailing him. 

He  does  not  always  do  so,  but,  aware  of  his  occasional  forbearance,  and,  knowing 
he  could  not  resist  him  successfully,  the  Bushman  lay  still.  The  hog  waited  a  brief 
while  for  his  enemy  to  rise,  but,  as  he  did  not,  he  left  him. 

At  the  moment  of  his  vanishment  among  the  rocks,  Mr.  Godkin  was  close 
enough  to  reach  him  with  his  rifle,  but  he  made  no  attempt.  He  saw  and  under- 
stood the  courtesy,  and  he  would  have  been  less  than  a  gentleman  had  he  refused 
to  reciprocate. 


152 


"ALL    TOGETHER.' 


"You  were  fortunate,"  he  remarked,  halting  his  pony  beside  Pongo,  who  climbed 
to  his  feet,  none  the  worse  for  his  violent  fall. 

"Yes;  he  good  hog,"  was  the  satisfied  reply  of  the  native,  who  remounted  his 
animal  a  moment  later. 

"  If  it  had  been  any  other  brute,  you  would  not  have  fared  so  well,  which  inclines 
me  to  remark  that  a  wild  boar  isn't  always  the  hog  that  some  other  animals  are." 

The  face  of  the  Bushman  showed  that  he  hardly  grasped  the  full  meaning  of  the 
.facetious  remark,  though  it  cannot  be  supposed  he  failed  to  appreciate  the  chivalry 
of  his  foe. 

"My  gun  was  at  my  shoulder  when  he  turned  to  leave  you,"  added  the  director, 
"but  I  hadn't  the  heart  to  shoot,  after  seeing  how  kindly  he  treated  you." 

The  brisk  encounter  with  the  boar  did  not  drive  from  the  minds  of  the  sportsmen 
the  errand  that  had  taken  them  thither.  They  drew  their  ponies  close  to  the  edge 
of  the  jungle,  and  held  them  down  to  a  walk,  while  their  eyes  searched  the  gloomy 
depths  for  whatever  could  be  found. 

As  Mr.  Godkin  anticipated,  they  had  not  gone  far  when  they  discerned  a  denizen 
of  the  most  frightful  kind,  in  the  shape  of  an  immense  boa-constrictor,  coiled  around 
the  limbs  of  a  tree  so  close  to  the  plain  that  they  sheered  to  the  left,  to  avoid 
tempting  him  to  make  a  dart  at  them. 

The  director  had  no  thought  of  attempting  to  capture  any  such  specimen  as  that 
for  my  exhibition,  but  he  paused  and  debated  with  his  assistant  whether  they  should 
give  it  a  shot  or  two.  Standing  at  a  safe  distance,  the  white  man  could  have  riddled 
its  head  with  balls,  without  any  risk  to  himself,  but  he  did  not  care  to  do  so,  pre- 
ferring that  Bob  Marshall  and  Dick  Brownell  should  see  the  monstrous  reptile 
before  disposing  of  it. 

This  conclusion  was  hastened  by  the  sight  of  a  drove  of  zebras,  grazing  and 
frisking  at  the  base  of  the  hill  from  which  the  party  had  taken  their  observation  of 
the  surrounding  country.  A  second  glance  showed  there  was  at  least  one  colt 
among  them,  and  Mr.  Godkin  was  hopeful  that,  by  careful  maneuvering,  they  might 
be  able  to  make  it  and  its  mother  captives,  somewhat  after  the  manner  of  the  taking 
of  the  giraffes,  though  they  had  no  prospect  of  the  use  of  Jack  Harvey's  lasso. 

You  are  so  familiar  with  the  zebras,  that  I  am  sure  you  will  not  expect  me  to 
give  a  description  of  them.  You  have  seen  its  black  and  white  stripes,  with  the 
same  colored  rings  around  its  legs.  The  quagga  is  brown,  with  black  stripes,  and 
with  white  belly  and  legs,  while  the  animal  known  as  Burchell's  zebra  differs  from 
the  ordinary  kind  only  in,  having  white  legs. 

There  was  nothing  to  be  feared  in  attacking  these  animals,  which  are  among  the 
most  harmless  in  South  Africa,  though  almost  untamable.  Their  peculiar  appear- 
ance renders  them  interesting  members  of  any  exhibition,  and  Mr.  Godkin  would 
not  have  felt  his  work  finished  until  he  had  secured  at  least  one  specimen. 

"  You  see  the  dam  with  her  foal  ?  "  he  said  to  Pongo,  as  they  drew  near  the  drove, 
which  did  not  notice  their  approach  until  they  were  quite  close ;  "  we  must  separate 
her  from  the  rest  and  drive  her  to  camp." 


"ALl.   TOGETHER." 


153 


The  Bushman  nodded,  to  signify  he  understood,  and  was  ready  to  give  all  the 
help  he  could.  Striking  their  animals  into  a  sharp  gallop,  they  headed  directly  for 
the  drove. 

The  female  zebra,  with  her  young,  was  at  the  rear,  busily  cropping  the  grass, 
while  her  colt  helped  itself  to  maternal  nourishment,  flirting  its  tail,  jamming  its 
head,  and  frisking  about  the  parent  in  a  way  that,  now  and  then,  called  forth  a  pro* 
testing  whinny  or  kick,  which,  however,  inflicted  no  hurt. 


THE  QUAGGA. 

It  was  curious  that  the  colt  was  the  first  to  discover  the  presence  of  the  strangers. 
Suddenly  it  looked  toward  them,  with  the  milk  dripping  from  its  black  muzzle,  and 
with  such  a  comical  expression  that  even  the  glum  Bushman  smiled. 

The  youngster  emitted  no  cry,  probably  not  knowing  enough  to  give  the  alarm, 
but  the  whole  drove  were  startled  the  next  moment  by  the  tramp  of  the  ponies' 
hoofs  and  the  sight  of  the  horsemen  bearing  down  upon  them. 

Up  went  every  head,  and  away  they  galloped,  taking  exactly  the  contrary  course 
from  that  desired  by  the  sportsmen- 


154 


"ALL   TOGETHER.' 


The  zebras  showed  considerable  speed,  and  would  have  led  the  pursuers  on  a 
smart  chase  but  for  the  colt,  which,  being  unable  to  run  as  fast  as  the  others,  soon 
fell  behind.  The  mother,  of  course,  kept  it  company,  showing  a  natural  solicitude 
for  its  safety. 

This  was  what  Mr.  Godkin  wanted  and  what  he  had  counted  upon.  When  an 
opening  of  several  rods  appeared  between  the  couple  and  the  rest  of  the  drove,  he 


BURCHELL'S  ZEBRA. 

and  Pongo  forced  their  horses  between  and  turned  the  heads  of  the  parent  and  colt 
in  the  opposite  direction. 

This  was  to  the  south  of  the  elevation,  and,  if  it  could  be  continued  long  enough, 
would  lead  to  camp.  But  it  was  not  to  be  hoped  that  the  zebras  would  keep  the 
course  after  descrying  the  peril  in  front ;  they  could  not  be  taken  without  the  help 
of  the  friends  there. 

Circling  round  the  hill,  the  horsemen  had  to  ride  but  a  short  distance,  v/hen 


"ALL   TOGETHER."  155 

they  came  in  full  sight  of  the  camp.  By  that  time  the  Texan  and  the  lads  had 
arrived  with  their  oryxes,  and  were  quick  to  discover  the  chance  to  secure  new 
prizes. 

Jack  showed  an  instant  perception  of  what  was  needed.  A  large  gap  was  made 
in  one  side  of  the  stockade,  at  the  farthest  portion  from  the  camp,  the  natives  mov- 
ing hastily  from  the  spot.  Then  Jack,  Bob  and  Dick  vaulted  into  their  saddles  and 
spread  out  on  the  plain  to  help  drive  the  zebras  into  the  inclosure. 

This  proved  anything  but  an  easy  task,  for  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  any 
wild  animal  would  willingly  approach  a  place  like  the  encampment  of  the  hunters. 
The  mother  snuffed  the  air,  pricked  her  ears,  looked  right  and  left,  stopped  short, 
and  then  started  at  a  brisk  trot  over  her  own  trail,  the  colt  following  closely  at  her 
heels,  for,  even  in  her  fright,  she  accommodated  her  gait  to  that  of  her  offspring. 

But  she  had  time  to  go  only  a  short  distance,  when  she  was  confronted  by  Pongo, 
who  swung  his  arms  and  shouted  so  hard  that  she  quickly  shifted  her  course,  only 
to  find  her  path  barred  this  time  by  Mr.  Godkin,  who  disported  himself  like  a 
frantic  person. 

Once  more  the  zebra  headed  for  camp,  approaching  quite  close,  but  the  sight 
was  too  terrifying  and  she  wheeled  with  such  a  determined  effort  to  flank  the  shout- 
ing Bushman  that  she  would  have  succeeded,  despite  his  efforts,  except  for  the 
opportune  appearance  of  Bob  Marshall  and  Jack  Harvey,  who  were  riding  so  near 
together  that  the  way  was  closed. 

By  this  time  the  zebra  was  panic-stricken  and  seemed  to  forget  about  her  colt, 
in  her  wild  desire  to  extricate  herself  from  the  snare  into  which  she  had  run. 

Jack  had  his  lasso  in  hand,  but  it  looked  as  if  the  capture  could  be  completed 
without  that,  though  he  was  ready  to  use  it  at  any  time. 

The  only  way  open  was  that  leading  to  the  inclosure,  and  the  mother  started 
thither  with  the  young  one  still  at  her  heels.  She  saw  the  opening,  but  showed 
renewed  misgiving  as  she  neared  it.  While  still  several  yards  off  she  stopped 
short,  snuffed  and  shook  her  head,  as  if  to  say  she  could  not  be  fooled. 

This  was  a  critical  moment.  "  All  together  !  "  called  Mr.  Godkin,  and  the  five 
horsemen  bore  down  on  the  hesitating  animal  with  such  shouts  and  outcries,  that 
she  bounded  forward,  and  the  next  minute  she  .and  her  little  one  were  safe  within 
the  stockade. 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE    FRETFUL   PORCUPINE. 

GODKIN  carefully  examined  the  stockade  to  make  sure  the  captives 
were  secure,  when  he  rejoined  his  friends,  highly  pleased  at  the  success  that 
had  attended  their  efforts.  He  gave  it  as  his  belief  that  if  the  good  fortune 
continued  for  two  or  three  weeks  longer,  the  expedition  would  be  ready  to  start  on 
its  return  to  Port  Natal,  or,  possibly,  to  some  point  on  the  western  coast. 

But  he  reminded  his  friends  that  the  work  already  done  was  but  play  compared 
with  that  before  them.  Although  they  had  had  a  memorable  brush  with  a  couple 
of  lions,  not  to  mention  the  encounter  with  the  leopards,  there  were  far  more  serious 
tasks  in  encountering  the  elephants,  rhinoceroses,  hippopotami,  "  and,"  he  added, — 
"possibly  the  gorillas." 

When  he  came  to  tell  about  the  boa-constrictor  discovered  in  the  edge  of  the 
jungle,  waiting  for  prey,  the  boys  were  all  eagerness  to  see  the  reptile,  which  the 
director  pronounced  the  largest  of  the  kind  he  had  ever  looked  upon,  and  he  had 
met  some  big  ones  in  India. 

"  We  have  met  plenty  of  the  smaller  species,"  said  Dick  Brownell,  "  and  I  have 
wondered  why  we  haven't  seen  some  of  the  big  ones,  since  we  are  in  a  section  where 
there  are  plenty." 

"They  are  not  so  numerous  here  as  nearer  the  Equator,  and  I  am  glad  of  it :  I 
would  be  pleased  if  there  were  fewer." 

"  I  suppose  you  expect  me  to  lasso  the  critter,"  said  Jack  Harvey,  with  such  a 
serious  countenance  that  his  hearers  doubted  whether  he  was  in  earnest  or  not. 

"  I  have  been  thinking  about  that,"  replied  Mr.  Godkin,  without  the  trace  of  a 
smile  on  his  face,  "but  I'm  afraid  there  will  be  some  difficulty  in  dropping  a  coil 
over  the  boa-constrictor's  head." 

"  Of  course  it  would  be  difficult  for  you,  but  what  trouble  can  it  be  for  me  ?n 

"Suppose  the  snake  should  lasso  you  at  the  same  time?  You  know  he  is  built 
something  on  the  order  of  a  cable  rope,  and  it  doesn't  take  him  long  to  coil  himself 
around  his  game." 

"  In  that  case  I'll  give  him  a  few  lessons  in  the  business ;  I  never  yet  met  a 
chap  that  could  beat  me  with  the  lasso,  and  I  don't  propose  to  knock  under  to  any 
snake,  if  he  is  as  big  around  as  a  barrel,  and  hooks  his  tail  into  a  tree  before  he 
sends  out  his  noose." 

"  Of  course,"  said  Bob  Marshall,  perceiving  the  drift  of  their  friend's  remarks, 
"you  wouldn't  need  to  fasten  the  other  end  of  the  rope  to  your  saddle." 

"  Certainly  not ;  I  would  wind  that  round  my  arm,  so  if  the  critter  tried  to  get 
away,  I  could  draw  him  to  me." 

156 


THE  FRETFUL  PORCUPINE. 


157 


"  But  if,  with  you  pulling  one  way  and  the  constrictor  the  other,  the  rope  should 
happen  to  break  ?  "  suggested  Dick  Brownell. 

The  Texan  solemnly  shook  his  head. 

"No  snake  is  strong  enough  to  break  that  rawhide  :  I  had  it  made  on  purpose 
for  me  by  one  of  Mr.  Barnum's  friends.  After  I  once  get  it  around  the  varmint, 
he'll  be  there — depend  on  that." 

«Yes  —  and  that  would  be  the  trouble,  but  to  end  this  jest,  of  course  we'll  kill 
the  constrictor,  for  I  always  feel  it  my  duty  to  extinguish  such  reptiles  at  every 
opportunity." 

"  Them's  my  sentiments,"  said  Jack,  so  heartily  that  there  could  be  no  doubt  of 
his  sincerity. 


"  ME  SHOW  SOMETHING." 

While  this  conversation  was  under  way,  Diedrick,  the  Hottentot,  was  busy  ex- 
amining all  sides  of  the  inclosure.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  camp  had  been 
left  in  his  charge  while  the  whites  were  absent  with  Pongo,  and  he  did  not  seek  to 
throw  off  the  responsibility  with  the  return  of  his  friends. 

It  took  some  time  to  replace  the  stakes  that  had  been  removed  from  one  portion 
of  the  stockade,  to  make  wider  the  door  through  which  the  zebras  had  been  driven. 
While  Diedrick  was  thus  employed  with  several  assistants,  the  mother  showed  such 
a  frantic  desire  to  get  out,  that,  but  for  her  solicitude  for  her  colt,  she  would  have 
galloped  right  over  the  natives ;  but,  since  the  young  one  declined  to  take  such 
risks,  she  finally  huddled  in  the  farther  corner,  where  she  stayed  until  all  chance  of 
escape  was  gone. 


158 


THE    FRETFUL    PORCUPINE. 


Mr.  Godkin  decided  to  wait  several  hours  before  hunting  out  the  boa-constrictor, 
which  might  have  changed  its  quarters  since  he  saw  it.  The  sun  beat  down  with 
such  power  that  all  were  glad  to  seek  the  shade  within  reach. 

The  cousins  had  just  crawled  beneath  one  of  the  wagons,  when  Diedrick 
approached,  and,  with  a  significant  expression,  beckoned  them  to  follow  him. 

"  I  wonder  what's  up  now,"  said  Bob,  with  a  laugh. 

"  I've  no  idea,  but  it's  something  worth  seeing,  or  he  wouldn't  have  invited  ui 
to  follow  him."  The  youths  lost  no  time  in  joining  him. 


THE  TREE  PORCUPINE. 

"What  is  it ?  "  asked  Bob. 

"  Me  show  something,"  was  the  vague  reply. 

"  We  don't  doubt  that,  but  we  want  to  know  what  it  is." 

"  Come  wid  me ;  soon  see." 

"  All  right;  go  ahead." 

The  Hottentot  led  the  way  around  the  large  inclosure,  and  toward  the  stream 
of  which  I  have  spoken  so  many  times.  He  did  not  continue  to  the  water,  nor 
indeed  to  the  tall  weeds  that  lined  the  banks,  but,  following  the  course  of  the 
river  a  little  way,  and  at  a  considerable  distance  from  it,  he  paused  and  pointed  to 
the  ground. 


THE  FRETFUL  PORCUPINE. 


159 


His  companions  saw  a  burrow  in  the  earth,  with  several  openings,  but  no 
evidence  of  any  living  creature.  "Well,  what  of  it?"  asked  Bob,  looking  up  in- 
quiringly at  the  native.  "  There  isn't  any  snake  in  there,  I  hope,  for  if  there  is  he 
can  stay,  for  all  I  care." 

"No  snake;  no  snake,"  replied  Diedrick,  with  several  shakes  of  his  head. 

"  Is  there  anything  at  all  ?  "  asked  Dick,  half  suspecting  the  Hottentot,  despite 
his  glum  disposition,  was  playing  some  trick  on  them. 

"Yes;  you  see,  you  see,"  replied  the  native,  with  some  excitement,  catching  each 
by  the  arm  and  pushing  him  back.  An  agitation  of  the  dirt  showed  that,  whatever 
it  was  that  made  its  home  in  that  place,  it  had  started  to  come  to  the  surface,  doubt- 
less unaware  of  enemies  so  near  at  hand. 


TUFTED-TAIL  PORCUPINE. 

The  instant  it  came  forth  the  boys  recognized  it  as  a  porcupine,  a  creature  that 
you  have  all  seen,  since  varieties  are  found  in  both  the  new  and  old  world.  It 
bristled  with  long  spines,  elegantly  ringed  with  broad  bands  of  black  and  white, 
and  its  short,  muscular  limbs  carried  it  over  the  ground  faster  than  most  persons 
would  suppose  it  capable  of  traveling. 

It  had  gone  several  yards  from  the  entrance  to  its  subterranean  home,  before  it 
observed  the  three  figures  standing  behind  it,  and  watching  its  movements. 

It  instantly  turned  and  started  to  run  to  its  retreat,  but  Bob  stepped  forward 
and  shut  it  off.  Finding  itself  driven  at  bay,  and  believing  it  was  about  to  be 
attacked,  it  resorted  to  its  peculiar  means  of  defense.  Being  without  teeth  or  tal- 
ons for  fighting,  the  porcupine  turned  its  back  to  its  enemies,  and,  burying  its  head 
between  its  fore  legs,  erected  its  spines  and  shook  them  violently. 


i6o 


THE    FRETFUL   PORCUPINE. 


You  may  have  heard  the  belief,  common  in  many  quarters,  that  this  creature, 
when  attacked,  defends  itself  by  throwing  its  quills  at  its  assailant.  While 
tnis  is  an  error,  yet  it  is  a  natural  one,  since  there  is  reasonable  ground  for  the 
belief. 

Horses  that  have  shown  too  much  curiosity  in  snuffing  about  the  odd-looking 
creature,  have  come  away  with  a  number  of  the  needle-like  spines  sticking  in 
their  noses,  where  they  were  believed  to  have  been  thrown  by  the  porcupine. 

How  this  mistake  originated  was  clearly  brought  out  by  Dick  Brownell  within 
a  few  minutes  after  the  discovery  of  the  creature.  Understanding  its  nature  quite 
well,  for  he  had  seen  specimens  in  his  own  country,  he  felt  no 
fear  when  he  stooped  down  and  extended  his  hand  toward  the 
animated  burr. 

"Have  a  care,"  admonished  his 
cousin,  still  acting  the  part  of  a  guard 
over  the  approaches  to  the  under- 
ground home. 

"He  isn't  a  very  nice  thing  to 
handle,  but  I  guess  I  can  do  it,"  replied 
Dick,  reaching  carefully  toward  the  por- 
cupine. 

The  most  venturesome  person 
might  well  hesitate  as  to  the  best  man- 
ner of  seizing  the  creature,  and  the 
youth's  hand  was  an  inch  or  two  from  it, 
when  he  snatched  it  back  with  a  cry  of 
pain.  As  he  did  so,  several  of  the 
spines  were  seen  to  be  clinging  to  his 
palm.  It  looked  for  all  the  world  as 
if  the  porcupine  had  flung  them  at  him, 
but  such  was  not  the  fact. 

At  the  moment  when  the  hand  was  closest  to  its  body,  the  specimen  of  the 
hystrix  cristata  (whose  head,  you  will  remember,  was  turned  away  from  the 
youth)  made  a  sudden  leap  backward  a  few  inches,  bringing  its  longest  spines  in 
sharp  collision  with  the  hand. 

These  animal  javelins  are  loosely  imbedded  in  the  skin,  besides  which  it 
probably  was  on  the  point  of  shedding  some  of  them,  so  that  when  Dick  drew  his 
hand  away,  the  quills  stuck  to  it. 

The  wounds  inflicted  were  enough  to  cause  any  one  to  cry  out,  for  the  sharp 
points  brought  blood,  which  trickled  from  Dick's  palm  as  he  gave  it  such  a  flirt 
that  the  quills  flew  a  number  of  feet. 

"  Confound  it,"  he  muttered  "  I  didn't  expect  him  to  do  business  in  that  style." 

"Look  out !  he's  coming  again  !" 

The  porcupine,  aware  of  the  effective  blow  it  had  struck,  was  making  ready  to 


AN  AWKWARD  PET. 


THE    FRETFUL   PORCUPINE.  l6l 

repeat  it.  It  was  cautiously  backing  toward  the  youth,  so  as  to  get  clos«  enough 
to  make  another  retrogressive  hitch  that  would  dispose  of  some  more  of  its  spines. 
But  Dick  took  care  to  keep  out  of  the  way.  Diedrick,  who  had  darted  off  a  mo- 
ment before,  now  reappeared,  carrying  a  strong  scoop-net  at  the  end  of  a  pole, 
such  as  are  in  common  use  along  our  sea-coast  for  crabbing,  and  the  porcupine 
was  deftly  captured,  without  a  chance  to  inflict  any  further  injury. 

The  tufted-tail  porcupine  has  shorter  quills,  which  lie  flat  against  the  body.  Its 
tail  is  scaly,  and  has  a  tuft  at  the  end  which  looks  as  if  composed  of  narrow  strips 
of  parchment.  This  animal  is  found  in  Fernando  Po,  and  in  India  and  Malacca. 


11 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

THE    SECRETARY-BIRD. 

the  time  had  come  for  hunting  the  serpent,  Jack  Harvey,  to  the  sur- 
prise of  his  friends,  said  he  had  concluded  not  to  go  with  them.    It  was  his 
wish  to  make  some  investigations  that  he  thought  advisable,  because  of 
the  craft  that  had  floated  down  stream  and  lodged  near  camp. 

You  will  perceive  that  there  was  something  congenial  in  this  work,  for  it  was  on 
a  line  with  his  training  in  the  Southwestern  section  of  his  own  country.  The  Texan 
was  an  Indian  fighter  who  had  been  on  some  of  the  severest  campaigns,  and  he 
had  learned  the  art  of  trailing  an  enemy  and  of  reading  "  signs,"  as  they  are  called, 
that  are  invisible  to  ordinary  eyes. 

The  hunters  had  gone  into  camp  in  this  remote  section  of  the  Dark  Continent 
with  the  intention  of  staying  several  weeks,  if  not  months.  They  had  taken  the 
utmost  precaution  against  peril,  but,  after  all,  the  real  danger  which  impended 
over  them  was  that  from  their  own  kind. 

It  was  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the  truth  about  the  wild  men  that  Jack  Harvey 
decided  to  take  the  time,  which  his  companions  devoted  to  the  boa-constrictor,  to 
delving  into  the  matter.  The  readiness  with  which  he  had  solved  the  cause  of  the 
raft  lying  against  the  bank  proved  his  skill  in  that  direction,  and  inspired  his  friends 
with  such  confidence,  that  they  were  glad,  without  exception,  to  learn  his  purpose 
in  staying  behind,  or  rather  in  going  off  on  an  expedition  of  his  own. 

"  I  want  you  to  remember  one  thing,"  said  he,  when  they  were  about  to  separate: 
"  it  may  take  me  not  only  all  the  afternoon,  but  the  night;  so  don't  fret  if  I  don't 
put  in  an  appearance  before  some  time  to-morrow." 

His  friends  opened  their  eyes.  They  had  not  yet  been  separated  a  single  night 
from  each  other,  and  the  prospect  was  not  pleasant ;  but  Jack  had  a  reason  for 
saying  what  he  did,  and  none  was  so  competent  to  understand  that,  in  such  an  un- 
dertaking as  he  was  about  to  enter  upon,  no  calculation  could  be  made  regarding 
the  time  required. 

So  with  pleasant  words  they  parted.  Jack  headed  up  the  stream,  mounted  on 
his  mustang,  and  with  his  favorite  lasso  coiled  at  his  saddle.  The  business  on 
which  he  was  engaged  promised  little  use  for  the  rope,  but  it  had  done  him  so  many 
good  turns  that  he  was  unwilling  to  go  without  it. 

Avoiding  the  weeds  near  the  river,  the  Texan  followed  its  course,  keeping  far 
enougii  from  the  bank  to  escape  entangling  himself  in  any  of  the  natural  obstruc- 
tions in  his  way. 

Since  the  ranger  had  made  previous  investigations  in  this  section,  it  was  not 
until  he  had  gone  a  half  mile  that  the  scenery  became  new  to  him. 

162 


THE    SECRETARY-BIRD. 


That  which  first  attracted  his 
notice  was  the  sinuous  course  oi 
the  river,  its  windings  being  so 
many  that  the  wonder  was  how 
the  raft  had  floated  so  far  without 


"I'LL  LEAVE  You  HERE,  APACHE." 


striking  the  bank.  The  fact  that  it  had  done  so  caused  Jack  to  fear  the  wild  men 
were  not  so  distant  as  he  had  hoped. 

Within  less  than  a  mile  from  camp,  the  stream  made  a  regular  horseshoe,  so 
that  if  one  should  cross  it  where  the  raft  had  lodged,  and  go  straight  westward,  he 
would  meet  the  same  current  at  no  great  distance. 

It  was  here,  also,  that  the  dense  weeds  and  tall  grass  merged  into  dense  timber, 
which  continued  indefinitely  up  the  river,  much,  farther,  at  least,  than  the  eye  of 
Jack  could  follow. 

"  I  wonder  if  the  varmints  are  in  there,'"  he  said,  drawing  his  mustang ;  "  they 
couldn't  get  a  better  hiding-place,  but  I  don't  know  why  they  would  want  to  hide 
themselves  so  long." 

Reason  suggested  that  if  there  were  any  hostile  natives  in  the  neighborhood, 
they  were  not  likely  to  stay  long  in  camp  ;  and  if  they  had  been  in  this  jungle,  they 
must  have  left  long  before  ;  but  the  Texan  had  learned,  during  his  stirring  experi- 
ence on  the  Southwest  border,  that  it  was  often  more  prudent  to  follow  what  may 
be  called  instinct  than  reason.  He  therefore  determined  to  investigate. 

As  he  had  anticipated,  his  mustang  was  able  to  force  his  way  only  a  short 
distance  before  the  vines  and  trees  became  so  dense  that  he  was  forced  to  stop. 

"  I'll  leave  you  here,  Apache,"  said  he,  addressing  the  steed,  "  and  will  expect 
you  to  be  near  when  1  come  back,  even  if  it  isn't  till  to-morrow  morning :  do  you 
understand  ?  " 

The  face  of  no  animal  could  have  shown  more  intelligence  than  that  of  the  mus- 
tang, when  thus  addressed  by  his  master,  who  felt  no  doubt  that  he  comprehended 


164 


THE    SECRETARY-BIRD. 


the  question  put  to  him.  Jack  did  not  remove  the  saddle,  lasso,  or  any  of  the  trap- 
pings.  He  never  used  a  bit  with  Apache,  who  was  left  free  to  graze  or  employ 
himself  as  he  preferred. 

Jack  Harvey,  therefore,  as  he  began  picking  his  way  farther  into  the  jungle, 
carried  his  Winchester,  two  revolvers,  and  knife,  and  was  as  "  well  heeled  "  as  any 
of  his  countrymen  could  desire. 

It  seemed  to  him  that  if  any  of  the  savage  natives  were  in  the  wood  they  were 
likely  to  be  near  the  river.  The  fact  that  they  had  employed  one  raft  at  least,  to- 
gether with  the  further  fact  that  it  is  the  custom  ot  all  people,  whether  barbarous 
or  civilized,  to  make  all  .  „, 

possible  use  of  water  com- 
munications, led  him  to  be- 
gin working  his  way  toward 
the  stream. 

While  thus  employed,  as 
a  matter  of  course,  he  was 
alert.  Knowing,  as  he  did, 
the  number  of  venomous 
serpents  and  all  manner  of 
savage  beasts,  he  meant 
that  none  of  them  should 
steal  a  march  on  him. 

Here  and  there  were 
beautifully-colored  birds, 
disporting  among  the 
branches,  some  with  a  plum- 
age that  was  bewildering 
in  its  brilliancy.  He  would 
have  been  glad  to  capture 
a  few  of  them  for  the  show, 
but  he  could  conjure  up  no 
means,  unless,  perchance, 
he  might  come  upon  some 
nest  and  rob  it  of  its  young. 

The  cries  were  so  discordant  that  more  than  once  he  uttered  an  impatient  ex- 
clamation, and  was  tempted  to  fire  at  them;  but,  since  he  could  have  caused  no 
appreciable  diminution  in  their  numbers  or  harshness,  he  refrained. 

It  was  this  careful  scrutiny  of  the  upper  branches  that  disclosed  to  him  a  broad 
collection  of  twigs  in  the  tuft  of  a  tree  which  he  thought  was  the  nest  of  a  bird.  It 
was  so  well  hidden  that  he  would  not  have  discovered  it  had  he  not  been  searching 
with  such  care,  and  even  then  he  was  not  sure  he  was  right  until  he  had  made  a 
circuit  around  the  base  of  the  tree,  and  studied  the  object  from  every  point  of  the 
compass. 


THE  SECRETARY-BIRD. 


THE    SECRETARY-BIRD.  163 

"Yes,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  it's  a  bird's  nest  as  sure  as  my  name  is  Jack  Harvey, 
but  since,  as  near  as  I  can  figure,  there  are  about  seventeen  hundred  million  of  the 
critters  in  this  country,  I  can't  feel  sure  what  kind  of  a  bird  this  is." 

Several  times,  in  peering  upward,  Jack  fancied  he  saw  the  parent  bird  looking 
down  at  him.  It  was  a  queer  front,  as  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  it  now  and  then,  the 
eyes  being  very  bright,  and  the  head  showing  a  resemblance  to  a  crest. 

The  size  of  the  nest  left  no  doubt  that  the  occupant  was  very  large ;  and,  brave 
as  was  Jack,  he  might  well  hesitate  about  climbing  the  tree  and  combating  it,  since, 
more  than  likely,  its  mate  would  hasten  to  its  assistance. 

Since  the  bird  was  sure  to  keep  her  place  as  long  as  danger  threatened  her 
castle,  the  Texan  resorted  to  strategy  to  draw  her  forth.  He  turned  about 
and  walked  away  until  beyond  her  sight,  when  he  came  back  from  another 
direction,  taking  care  in  doing  so,  and  halting  behind  a  trunk,  large  enough  to 
hide  his  body. 

This  artifice  was  successful.  He  could  not  see  the  parent  bird,  for  her  head 
was  turned  away  from  him,  and  it  was  not  likely  she  was  looking  for  any  danger. 

All  the  same,  however,  she  discovered  it  with  a  quickness  that  amazed  the 
watcher,  especially  when  he  found  he  was  much  closer  to  peril  than  to  the  nest. 

An  enormous  bird  appeared  on  the  edge  of  the  latter,  coming  into  sight  with  the 
suddenness  of  a  jack-in-the-box.  Its  head  was  turned  sideways,  proving  that  it  was 
gazing  downward. 

Naturally,  Jack's  first  thought  was  that  it  had  detected  him  again  though  that 
seemed  improbable,  but,  while  he  was  still  puzzling  over  it,  the  question  was  settled 
in  rather  a  startling  manner. 

No  more  than  a  dozen  feet  off  was  a  serpent,  some  six  or  eight  feet  long,  quite 
slender,  brightly  colored,  and  with  an  appearance  that  left  no  doubt  of  its  venomous 
nature. 

It  must  have  been  crawling  toward  Jack,  and  it  might  have  come  nigh  enough  to 
bury  its  fangs  in  his  body  before  he  suspected  his  danger,  so  absorbing  was  his 
interest  in  the  bird  among  the  limbs  above. 

As  yet,  the  snake  showed  no  signs  of  being  aware  of  the  man's  presence,  but  it 
saw  her  who  had  hopped  upon  the  edge  of  her  nest  so  promptly  and  was  now 
gazing  down  at  the  reptile. 

"  By  jingo  !  "  muttered  Jack,  "  there's  going  to  be  a  fight !  " 

Sure  enough,  the  thought  was  hardly  formed,  when  the  huge  bird  fluttered 
downward  through  the  branches,  landing  on  the  ground  less  than  a  rod  from  where 
the  snake  prepared  tself  for  the  battle  that  was  sure  to  be  to  the  death. 

The  presence  of  the  bird  so  near  Jack  Harvey  gave  him  a  chance  to  study  its  ap- 
pearance closely,  without  frightening  it  away.  It  bore  a  likeness  to  the  eagle  and 
crane,  the  head  resembling  the  former,  and  the  body  the  latter,  and  was  fully  three 
feet  tall.  Ten  or  a  dozen  dark-colored  feathers  projected  from  the  back  of  the 
head,  hanging  loosely  like  a  pendent  crest,  and  were  erected  or  depressed  at 
pleasure. 


i66 


THE    SECRETARY-BIRD. 


This  bird,  as  you  may  have  suspected,  was  the  famed  secretary-bird  of  South 
Africa,  so  named  by  the  Dutch  because  of  the  fancied  resemblance  the  tuft  of 
feathers  bears  to  a  pen  thrust  behind  the  ear. 

The  Hottentots  call  it  the  serpent-eater,  its  scientific  name  being  the  serpen- 
tarius  reptilivorus,  and  that  the  name  is  an  appropriate  one,  I  think  can  be  shown 
by  what  Jack  Harvey  witnessed  a  few  minutes  after  its  descent  from  its  nest  to  the 
earth. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

A  STRANGE  SCENE. 

secretary-bird  took  but  a  second  or  two  to  scan  the  serpent,  which  did  not 
coil,  like  the  rattlesnake,  but  reared  its  head,  with  its  tongue  darting  back  and 
forth,  its  tiny  eyes  flashing,  and  its  whole  appearance  showing  its  intense 
rage.     It  knew  that  it  was  to  be  attacked,  and  was  ready  for  it. 

There  was  no  sign  of  fear  on  the  part  of  the  bird,  but  she  was  cautious,  her  sit- 
uation being  something  like  that  of  our  friends  when  fighting  the  Bushmen.  They 
despised  the  foe,  but  dreaded  their  pestilent  missiles. 

She  stepped  slowly  toward  the  reptile,  and,  before  arriving  within  striking  dis- 
tance, thrust  the  point  of  one  of  her  wings  forward.  This,  as  was  proven  the  next 
moment,  was  for  the  purpose  of  parrying  the  blows  of  her  enemy. 

Having  thrown  up  her  guard,  so  to  speak,  the  bird  pushed  farther,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  drawing  the  attack  of  the  snake.  Sure  enough,  the  horrid  head  suddenly 
shot  forward,  with  a  quickness  that  the  eye  could  scarcely  follow,  the  blow  being 
twice  repeated  with  the  same  marvelous  swiftness,  but  each  time  it  was  parried  by 
the  pinion,  and  turned  harmlessly  aside. 

Seeing  its  failure,  the  snake  crawled  slowly  toward  the  bird,  so  as  to  secure  a 
better  chance  of  landing  its  blows,  but  the  feathers  had  already  caught  its  spare 
venom,  and  some  time  was  necessary  for  nature  to  replenish  the  supply. 

Well  aware  of  this,  the  secretary-bird  promptly  met  the  snake,  and,  leaping 
upon  the  writhing  form,  quickly  clawed  a  part  of  its  body  to  shreds,  instantly 
driving  out  all  semblance  ci  life. 

This  done,  the  serpent-eater  proceeded  to  make  her  dinner  at  leisure,  while  Jack 
Harvey,  carefully  screening  himself  from  sight,  watched  the  performance  with  a 
profound  admiration  for  the  prowess  of  a  bird  that  could  vanquish  a  large,  venomous 
serpent  in  such  thorough  fashion. 

An  incautious  movement  on  the  part  of  Jack  caused  the  secretary-bird  to  turn 
like  a  flash.  That  she  saw  him  for  the  first  time,  was  evident  from  her  manner, 
which  showed,  too,  that  she  was  as  ready  to  attack  him  as  the  serpent. 

The  Texan  smiled  at  its  combative  manner,  but  he  chose  to  use  discretion,  not 
that  he  felt  any  fear  of  the  bird,  but  because  he  held  it  in  too  great  respect  to  wish 
it  harm. 

"  There  is  no  need  why  you  and  I  should  have  any  trouble,"  he  said,  carefully 
withdrawing,  with  his  face  toward  her,  "  but  I'll  remember  this  spot,  and  I  shouldnV- 
wonder  if  we  saw  each  other  later." 

The  mother  did  not  follow  him,  though,  if  he  had  ventured  to  approach,  she 
would  have  flown  at  him  with  the  fierceness  of  a  tigress  defending  her  young.  In 

167 


1 68 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


a  few  minutes  Jack  was  out  of  sight,  and  once  more  gave  attention  to  the  business 
that  had  led  him  to  penetrate  the  jungle  thus  far.  Carefully  noting  his  bearings, 
he  resumed  his  advance  toward  the  river,  which  he  reached  a  short  time  later. 

It  was  a  dismal  place,  rendered  more  so  because  the  long,  sultry  day  was  draw- 
ing to  an  end,  and  the  somber  gloom  of  twilight  was  closing  over  jungle  and  river, 


A  STRANGE  COMBAT. 

The  trees  on  both  sides  grew  near  the  stream,  which  at  this  place  narrowed  to  a 

width  of  barely  a  hundred  yards,  so  that  the  inky  current  must  have  been  unusually 

The  desolation  and  silence,  with  the  exception  of  the  occasional  screeches 

of  the  birds  flying  overhead,  were  such  as  to  impress  as  unsentimental  a  person  as 

the  Texan,  who  stood  for  a  minute  or  two,  rifle  in  hand,  gazing  on  the  lovely  scene. 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


Something  resembling  a  decayed 
stump  could  be  seen,  moving  slowly 
along  the  opposite  bank.  Suspecting 
its  identity,  he  watched  it  until  it 
paused,  as  though,  like  the  raft,  it  had 
struck  against  the  bank.  The  next 
minute  an  immense  crocodile  crawled 
sluggishly  from  the  water  and  disap- 


A  DISMAL  REGION. 

peared  among  the  trees  and  undergrowth  on  the  edge  of  the  river.  He  would 
have  given  it  a  shot  as  it  came  into  view,  but  for  the  fear  of  attracting  the  attention 
of  the  wild  men  he  suspected  were  in  the  vicinity.  He  could  not  afford  to  allow 
any  side  issues  to  draw  him  from  the  real  business  of  his  exploration. 

He  was  standing  in  this  incertitude,  when  his  blood  was  set  tingling  by  a  cry 
so  sharp  and  agonizing  that  he  started  and  glanced  around,  with  a  gasp  of  affright. 

The  cry  came  from  a  point  close  at  hand,  slightly  behind  him  and  no  more  than 
a  few  rods  up  stream. 

Possibly  it  might  be  that  of  some  wild  animal,  but  to  his  ears  it  had  the  sem- 
blance of  a  man  in  mortal  suffering.  Glancing  at  his  weapons,  to  make  sure  they 
were  right,  he  began  picking  his  way  up  stream,  resolved  to  penetrate  the  mystery 
without  delay. 

The  solution  came  sooner  than  he  expected. 


170 


A    STRANGE    SCENE. 


Peering  through  the  dense  undergrowth,  he  saw  fully  fifteen  of  the  most  savage 
beings  on  which  he  had  ever  looked,  gathered  around  a  hapless  prisoner,  whom 
they  had  evidently  determined  to  put  to  death  with  great  torture. 

The  main  party  were  not  Bushmen,  but  belonged  to  another  tribe  in  the  vicinity. 
They  were  quite  small  in  stature,  with  enormous,  bushy  heads,  most  of  them  en- 
tirely naked,  while  a  few  had  the  skin  of  some  animal  bound  around  their  loins. 
Their  wrists  and  ankles  were  clasped  by  bracelets,  cunningly  constructed  of  ivory, 
and  the  masses  of  wool  were  ornamented  with  long,  brilliantly-colored  feathers, 
stuck  in  place  much  after  the  manner  of  the  American  Indian.  Huge  rings,  appar- 
ently of  gold,  hung  from  their  ears,  besides  which,  each  bore  a  similar  ornament 
suspended  from  the  end  of  his  broad,  flat  nose. 

The  bulbous  lips,  retreating  chins,  low  foreheads,  bulging  eyes  and  protuberant 
cheek-bones  were  so  marked  that  it  is  hard  to  imagine  how  any  human  beings 
could  be  more  repulsive  in  appearance. 

Every  one  of  die  fifteen  carried  a  long,  pointed  spear,  and  they  were  performing 
a  wild  dance  around  the  prisoner,  who  lay  on  the  ground,  with  his  wrists  and 
ankles  bound  by  some  vine,  as  thin,  and  almost  as  strong,  as  iron  wire. 

As  the  party  moved  about  the  captive  in  a  circle,  they  stooped  down,  and  now 
and  then  one  of  the  warriors  reached  forward  and  pricked  him  with  the  point  of  his 
spear.  Some  of  the  punctures  were  so  light  that  the  victim  bore  them  in  silence, 
but  now  and  then  the  leader  gave  such  a  sharp  thrust  that  the  poor  fellow  emitted 
a  cry  of  pain.  It  must  have  been  a  particularly  vigorous  jab  that  caused  the  yell 
which  had  startled  the  listening  Texan,  a  short  distance  off. 

The  scene  recalled  an  incident  in  Jack's  career,  when  campaigning  in  Arizona. 
From  a  hiding-place  where  every  moment  he  expected  to  be  discovered,  he  wit- 
nessed the  death  of  a  comrade  at  the  hands  of  Geronimo,  that  prince  of  miscreants, 
and  his  warriors.  Jack  dared  not  lift  a  finger  to  save  his  friend,  for  he  expected  to 
share  his  fate,  but  the  present  situation  was  different,  for  these  savages  were  not 
Apaches,  and  he  felt  little  fear  of  them  while  retaining  his  magazine-rifle  and  two 
revolvers,  the  three  weapons  giving  him  almost  a  score  of  shots. 

The  prisoner  was  as  swarthy  of  complexion  as  his  tormentors,  but  he  differed 
so  much  in  other  respects,  that  there  remained  no  doubt  he  belonged  to  another 
tribe.  Jack  noticed  that  he  had  no  ornaments  in  nose  or  ears,  or  on  his  wrists  or 
ankles. 

The  Texan's  theory,  probably,  was  the  right  one:  he  was  a  member  of  some 
hostile  people,  and  having  fallen  into  the  hands  of  this  party,  was  doomed  to  suffer 
the  most  frightful  of  deaths  at  their  hands. 

The  Texan  watched  them  but  a  short  while  before  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  the 
state  of  affairs. 

The  savage  who  bore  twice  as  many  feathers  in  his  wool  as  any  of  his  warriors, 
whose  breech-cloth  was  stained  of  various  hues,  who  carried  a  longer  spear,  with  a 
bundle  of  feathers  tied  at  one  end,  and  who  was  of  a  taller  stature  than  the  rest,  was 
the  chieftain. 


A    STRANGE    SCENE.  17! 

Furthermore,  he  had  reserved  to  himself  the  sweet  privilege  of  inflicting  all  real 
suffering  upon  the  victim.  The  others  were  allowed  to  prick  him  smartly,  but  it 
was  the  chief  who  indulged  in  a  jab,  now  and  then,  which  forced  a  cry  that  the 
bravest  man  could  not  have  suppressed. 

"  I  can't  stand  that  sort  of  thing,"  muttered  the  Texan,  compressing  his  lips ; 
"  if  you  would  give  the  poor  fellow  a  show,  I  would  say,  '  Let  the  best  man  win ;' 
but  for  fifteen  knaves  to  bear  down  on  a  tenderfoot  who  has  his  arms  and  legs  tied, 
why,  it  ain't  the  square  thing,  and  I  mean  to.  have  something  to  say  about  it." 

This  characteristic  decision  was  no  more  than  formed  by  Jack  Harvey  when 
the  chieftain  precipitated  the  crisis  for  which  the  watcher  was  waiting. 

The  prisoner  must  have  suffered  a  good  deal  before  the  single  spectator  arrived. 
The  grotesque  circling  and  chanting  suddenly  ceased,  and  all  came  to  a  stand-still. 
Every  eye  was  fixed  on  the  poor  wretch  lying  partly  on  his  side,  awaiting  his  doom. 
He  did  not  struggle,  except  to  shrink,  in  a  convulsive  way,  whenever  the  cruel  spear- 
points  were  pressed  against  his  quivering  flesh. 

It  was  manifest  that  the  chief  was  growing  impatient,  and  had  determined  to 
bring  the  sport  to  a  close,  or,  at  least,  to  give  it  a  more  enjoyable  phase. 

All  at  once  the  suspicion  flashed  upon  Jack  that  this  was  a  party  of  cannibals, 
and  that,  after  slaying  their  captive,  they  would  make  a  feast  upon  him.  There  is 
reason  to  believe  he  was  correct  in  his  conclusion. 

Standing  in  front  of  the  prisoner,  the  rest  of  the  warriors  some  paces  to  the 
rear,  the  leader  of  the  savages  addressed  a  few  sentences  to  the  victim.  What 
they  were  can  only  be  guessed,  but  his  manner  indicated  they  were  in  the  nature  of 
taunts,  another  fashion  which,  as  you  know,  prevails  among  the  American  Indians. 

The  prisoner  did  not  answer,  therein  differing  from  one  of  the  American  race  in 
a  similar  situation,  for  he  would  have  replied  with  taunts  equally  exasperating. 

The  address  lasted  but  a  minute  or  two,  the  victim  never  once  parting  his  lips, 
when  the  chieftain  raised  his  long  spear  with  the  intention  of  giving  the  finishing 
touch  to  the  frightful  scene. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 

T  this  moment,  the  sharp  crack  of  the  Texan's  Winchester  rang  out,  and  th« 
leader,  with  a  frantic  shriek,  flung  up  his  arms  and  fell  headlong  across  his 
intended  victim. 

Jack  Harvey  sprang  from  behind  the  tree,  and,  with  a  wild  shout,  dashed  at  the 
natives,  who,  tarrying  only  long  enough  to  catch  a  single  glimpse  of  the  terrible 
figure,  fled  into  the  jungle,  as  if  death  itself  was  at  their  heels.  The  rescuer  had  no 
wish  to  harm  any  one  beside  the  leader,  who  was  in  the  act  of  putting  a  fellow  being 
to  death,  but,  had  the  others  shown  hostility,  he  was  ready  to  open  on  them. 

Jack  was  used  to  scenes  of  violence,  but  it  was  with  a  shudder  that  he  drew  the 
inanimate  form  from  the  prostrate  figure,  which  seemed  as  much  terrified  as  were 
his  tormentors  by  the  sight  of  the  white  man  who  had  interfered  in  his  behalf. 

A  flirt  or  two  of  the  keen  knife  and  the  prisoner  was  free,  but  he  lay  still,  too 
much  overcome  to  move.  "  Come,  old  chap,  it's  a  good  time  for  you  to  leave," 
called  Jack,  seizing  his  arm  and  lifting  him  almost  bodily  to  his  feet. 

The  poor  fellow  stared  at  him  for  a  moment,  and  then,  with  a  howl,  ran  to  the 
river,  leaped  in,  and  began  swimming  frantically  for  the  other  shore.  As  he  did  so, 
his  friend,  who  stood  on  the  bank  calmly  watching  him,  laughed  outright  at  the 
affrighted  glances  he  cast  over  his  shoulder,  several  times  diving  beneath  the  sur- 
face, as  if  he  expected  that  the  weapon  which  had  destroyed  the  chieftain  was  about 
to  be  turned  against  him. 

"  I'm  afraid  he  don't  appreciate  what  I've  done,"  was  the  conclusion  of  the 
Texan,  "  and,  if  that  is  so,  he  won't  be  the  first  person  that  has  been  in  that  fix." 

There  was  no  need  of  staying  in  the  vicinity,  especially  since  he  believed  the 
savages  were  likely  to  rally  from  their  panic  and  return  to  the  spot,  with  the  proba- 
bility of  making  it  unpleasant,  to  say  the  least,  for  him.  Accordingly,  the  Texan 
started  to  return  to  his  mustang. 

He  had  taken  but  a  few  steps,  when  he  found  himself  face  to  face  with  two  of 
the  warriors  who  had  fled  in  such  panic  but  a  few  minutes  before. 

They  seemed  to  have  recovered  from  their  terror,  and  become  very  combative. 
Their  huge  mouths  were  parted  in  hideous  grins,  which  displayed  their  stained 
teeth,  and  one  of  them  brandished  his  spear  threateningly. 

"I'm  agreeable,"  called  Jack,  with  another  war  whoop,  making  a  tremendous 
bound  toward  them.  At  that  moment,  the  fellow  with  his  uplifted  spear  flung  it, 
but  he  was  so  disconcerted  by  the  unexpected  charge,  that  the  weapon  went  wide 
of  its  mark,  without  any  dodging  on  the  part  of  Jack  Harvey,  who  whipped  out  one 
of  his  revolvers  and  let  drive  with  a  couple  of  charges. 

172 


A    FRIEND    IN    NEED. 


173 


He  purposely  missed,  though  he  felt  some  doubt  aDout  the  wisdom  of  such 
leniency  toward  those  who  knew  nothing  of  what  mercy  meant;  but  the  Texan  was 
not  of  a  cruel  disposition,  and  he  wished  to  injure  no  one,  unless  it  was  clearly  his 
duty  to  do  so.  Whether  he  would  have  been  attacked  again,  had  he  stayed  where 
he  was,  can  only  be  conjectured,  but  he  saw  nothing  more  of  the  natives,  and  lost 
no  time  in  leaving  the  spot  where  he  had  witnessed  such  a  stirring  scene. 

He  had  solved  the  question  more  promptly  than  he  had  anticipated  on  leaving 
camp,  and  was  hopeful  of  rejoining  his  friends  before  night  closed  in.  So  he 
picked  his  way  as  fast  as  he  could  through  the  jungle,  returning  over  his  own  trail, 
which  was  marked  so  plainly  that  it  was  no  trouble  to  follow  it. 


A  FRIEND  IN  NEED. 


The  walk  was  not  long  to  the  tree  in  which  the  secretary-bird  had  its  nest.  He 
approached  with  much  caution,  for  he  was  hopeful  of  finding  the  mother  absent, 
and,  if  such  should  prove  the  case,  he  meant  to  visit  her  home. 

It  was  a  difficult  question  to  settle,  for,  if  the  bird  was  on  guard,  it  would  be 
dangerous  to  disturb  her.  The  hunter  would  be  at  much  disadvantage  while  climb- 
ing the  tree,  and,  in  case  the  mother  attacked  (as  she  was  sure  to  do  if  she  detected 
him),  he  would  have  to  shoot  her  in  self-defense. 

He  did  not  wish  to  do  that;  so,  after  looking  upward  awhile,  without  seeing  any- 
thing of  the  bird,  he  announced  his  presence  by  swinging  his  sombrero  and  calling 
to  her.  Since  she  remained  invisible,  he  broke  off  a  piece  ot  rotten  limb  and  flung 
it  aloft,  coming  quite  close  to  the  nest,  though  branches  of  the  tree  prevented  an 
accurate  aim.  Still  the  parent  bird  made  no  sign. 


174 


A   FRTEND    IN    NEED. 


"She  don't  appear  to  be  there," 
muttered  the  sportsman,  his  heart 
throbbing  with  hope]  "but  if  she 
3  is,   I   reckon    I'll   learn  it  afore    I 
'  reach  the  nest." 

The  day  was  waning,  and  there 
was  no  time  to  lose.  He  was  too 
cautious  to  leave  his  gun  on  the  ground, 
and  indeed  there  was  no  need  of  it,  for 
it  was  readily  slung  over  his  shoulder, 
as  he  was  accustomed  to  do  when  using 
his  lasso,  while  riding  his  mustang. 

He  feared  that  some  of  the  natives 
might  follow  to  the  spot  and  attack 
him  while  in  the  tree.  He  had  watched 
and  listened  for  pursuit,  but  discovered 
nothing  to  cause  alarm. 

However,  some  risk  was  inevitable, 
and,  being  convinced  that  the  bird 
was  absent,  though  likely  to  return 
any  moment,  Jack  began  climbing  the 
tree  with  the  nimbleness  of  a  monkey. 
Having  effected  the  start,  he 
pushed  forward  with  all  the  energy 
possible.  The  height  was  consider- 
able, but  he  soon  found  himself  near 
the  structure  from  which  the  bird  had 
descended  to  attack  the  serpent. 

The  nest  was  composed  of  sticks, 
was  fully  a  yard  in  diameter,  and  was 
lined  with  wool  and  feathers.  The 

most  difficult  part  of  the  climber's  task  was  when  he  found  himself  directly  under- 
neath the  nest,  for  it  covered  so  large  a  space  that  it  required  considerable  skill  to 
climb  around  it.  He  succeeded  at  last,  and  gained  a  peep  of  the  interior.  A 
pleasing  surprise  awaited  him. 

The  eggs  of  the  secretary-bird  are  about  the  size  of  those  of  a  goose.  There 
had  been  four  in  the  nest,  but  two  of  them  were  hatched,  the  others  evidently 
being  on  the  eve  of  liberating  their  captives. 

It  was  singular  that  the  mother  had  absented  herself  at  such  a  time,  especially 
as  she  had  feasted  so  recently,  but  it  may  have  been  she  was  seeking  suitable  food 
for  the  little  ones.  She  was  certain  not  to  be  away  long,  and  Jack  had  no  time 
to  speculate  over  the  matter. 

Parting  his  shirt  in  front,  he  quickly  shoved  the  little  ones  within,  and  began 


THE  ORNITHOLOGIST. 


A    FRIEND    IN    NEED.  175 

making  his  way  down  the  tree  again.  The  brave  fellow  had  not  been  so  nervous 
in  a  long  while.  Having  secured  the  young  birds,  he  was  anxious  to  get  away  with 
them,  for  to  him  the  species  was  one  of  the  most  interesting  curiosities  obtainable. 

"  I  wonder  whether  she  can  figure  any  better  than  the  ostrich,"  thought  the 
hunter,  picking  his  way  to  the  ground,  on  his  guard  against  an  assault  by  the 
mother  he  had  just  robbed.  "  'Cause  if  she  can't,  she  won't  be  able  to  cipher  out 
that  two  of  her  beautiful  children  are  missing,  though,  it  seems  to  me,  it  must  get 
through  her  head  that  something  is  wrong. 

"  I  don't  care  about  banking  on  the  idea  that  she  won't  smell  a  mouse  —  helloa  ! 
by  jingo  !  there  she  is  /" 

Jack  had  reached  the  ground  and  moved  a  few  steps,  when  a  whirr  and  rush 
overhead  told  that  the  parent  bird  had  returned  to  her  nest.  By  this  time  there 
was  so  much  gloom  in  the  jungle  that  the  hunter  was  greatly  favored.  He  was 
resolved  that,  having  succeeded  thus  far,  he  would  not  surrender  his  prizes.  If  the 
parent  should  attack,  he  would  shoot  her,,  which  would  only  be  in  accord  with  the 
hard  rule  that  the  sportsmen  in  search  of  natural  curiosities  must  follow.  In  that 
event,  he  meant  to  climb  the  tree  and  take  the  other  eggs. 

The  bird  had  not  observed  the  pilferer  below,  who  stealthily  withdrew  from  the 
vicinity  of  the  tree,  hopeful  of  eluding  her,  but  it  was  evident  from  her  manner  that 
she  saw  something  was  amiss.  There  was  a  good  deal  of  fluttering,  with  some  queer 
squawking,  which  speedily  brought  the  male  bird  home  to  learn  the  cause  of  the 
excitement. 

What  followed  it  would  be  impossible  to  say,  since  Jack  Harvey  passed  beyond 
hearing  at  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  and  saw  nothing  more  of  those  whom  he 
had  despoiled. 

The  felicitation  which  he  felt  was  marred,  on  arriving  at  the  margin  of  the  wood, 
by  his  failure  to  see  his  mustang.  He  feared  some  of  the  wild  men  had  stolen  him, 
but  this  misgiving  quickly  vanished  when,  in  response  to  his  signal,  the  pony  came 
trotting  toward  him,  with  a  glad  whinny. 

An  instant  later  the  Texan  was  in  his  saddle,  and  once  more  he  felt  at  home.  The 
young  birds,  which  he  had  placed  within  his  clothing,  appeared  to  be  well  satisfied. 
They  uttered  a  tiny  squeak  or  two,  fluttered  about  a  little  when  disturbed  by  the 
motion  of  his  body,  but  made  no  effort  to  free  themselves,  nor  did  they  protest 
against  their  confinement. 

At  the  moment  of  taking  the  saddle,  Jack  looked  across  the  plain  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  encampment.  There  could  be  no  mistaking  its  location,  since  its  light 
glowed  like  the  beacon  that  tells  the  sailor  of  the  harbor  he  is  approaching. 

His  friends  were  surprised  and  pleased  on  seeing  their  valued  comrade,  as  he 
drew  up  his  mustang,  sprang  to  the  ground,  and  asked  them  not  to  embrace  him 
too  warmly,  since  he  carried  something  brittle  near  his  heart. 

The  tiny  birds  were  produced,  and  examined  by  all.  Bob  and  Dick  could  not 
guess  their  species,  and,  though  Mr.  Godkin  studied  over  it  for  some  time,  he  was 
wrong  when  he  gave  his  opinion. 


I76 


A    FRIEND    IN    NFED. 


But  Pongo  and  Diedrick  hit  it  the  fi^st  time.  Young  as  were  the  birds,  one  of 
them  showed  signs  of  the  picturesque  plumes  at  the  back  of  its  head,  and  it  was 
this  fact  that  revealed  the  secret. 

Having  related  his  own  experience,  the  Texan  was  prepared  to  listen  to  what 
had  befallen  the  others. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 


"  ONE TWO  THREE  !  " 

BOB  MARSHALL,  Dick 
Brownell,  Mr.  Godkin 
and  Pongo  set  off  in  the 
direction  of  the  jungle, 
where  they  had  seen 
the  enormous  boa-con- 
strictor, and  all  were  in 
high  spirits. 

"How  do  they  catch 
the  snakes  that  we  see 
in  museums  ? "  asked 
Dick,  while  they  were 
still  some  distance  from 
the  wood. 

"  It   is  not  difficult  for 

those  who  understand  the  business,"  re- 
plied the  director.  "I  have  taken  a  hand 
in  capturing  several  in  India.  You  have 
only  to  wait  until  they  are  in  a  torpid  con- 
dition from  gorging  themselves,  then  slip 
up  and  fling  a  blanket  over  their  heads. 
At  the  same  time,  a  strong  net  can  be  used, 
and  a  little  dexterity  will  secure  the  reptile 
without  much  trouble." 

"  Did  you  ever  try  chloroform  ?  "  asked 
Bob. 

"  No ;  although  I  do  not  see  why  it 
might  not  be  turned  to  good  account." 

"Some  years  ago,"  remarked  Bob, 
"  when  I  was  in  New  York,  a  big  snake,  that 
a  man  was  wheeling  in  a  box,  was  set  free 

by  the  upsetting  of  the  barrow  in  the  City  Hall  Park.  You  ought  to  have  seen 
the  people  scatter,  though  I  don't  think  any  of  them  got  out  of  the  way  quicker 
than  I  did.  There  was  a  panic  for  a  time,  until  one  of  the  trained  men  from 
Reiche's  place,  in  the  Bowery,  appeared,  threw  a  blanket  over  the  snake's  head, 
and  then  easily  lifted  him  into  the  box." 
11  177 


ij8  "ONE  —  TWO  —  THREE!" 

« I  once  asked  Mr.  Reiche  the  size  of  the  biggest  snake  he  ever  had,  "said  Dick, 
"and  he  told  me  eighteen  feet.  I  judge,  from  what  you  have  said,  that  if  we 
find  the  one  you  saw  this  forenoon,  we  shall  look  upon  a  much  larger  one." 

"You  will,  indeed;  too  large  for  any  company  of  men  to  think  of  capturing, 
though  I  have  felt  inclined,  more  than  once,  despite  my  dislike  of  the  reptiles,  to 
secure  one.  We  have  no  chloroform  with  us,  so  we  cannot  try  the  experiment  you 
speak  of,  and,  on  the  whole,  I  think  we'll  give  that  class  of  curiosities  the  go-by." 

"  I  hope  so,"  replied  Dick,  "  for,  to  my  way  of  thinking,  they  would  form  the  one 
disagreeable  feature  of  our  menagerie." 

Before  reaching  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  the  spot  where  the  constrictor 
had  been  seen,  all  four  dismounted.  Pongo  took  the  lead,  and,  remembering  the 
place  well,  went  straight  to  it,  but,  to  the  disappointment  of  all,  the  reptile  was  not 
in  sight. 

"  He  can't  be  far  off,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  following  the  native  among  the  trees, 
"and  we  shall  soon  find  him." 

Despite  the  director's  warnings,  the  Bushman  walked  so  fast  that  he  drew  away 
from  them.  Mr.  Godkin  was  on  the  point  of  ordering  him  to  return,  when  a  low 
whistle  was  heard,  and  Pongo  came  back  with  P"ch  a  flurried  appearance  that  all 
knew  he  had  located  the  constrictor. 

"Me  find  him,"  said  he;  "big  fellow  —  eat  horse  —  eat  ox  —  eat  us!" 

"  I  hope  he  won't  undertake  all  that,"  said  Bob,  with  a  laugh,  glancing  at  his  rifle. 

"Since  you  have  found  him,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "you  may  lead  the  way,  Pongo." 

This  suited  the  native,  who  willingly  assumed  the  duty  of  guide. 

Only  a  short  distance  had  been  passed,  in  a  guarded  fashion,  the  three  following 
close  at  the  fellow's  heels,  when  he  paused  and  pointed  up  among  the  branches  of 
one  of  the  trees.  Following,  with  their  eyes,  the  direction,  our  friends  looked 
upon  an  amazing  sight. 

The  most  enormous  boa-constrictor  on  which  they  had  ever  gazed  was  coiled 
around  the  trunk,  at  a  height  of  less  than  thirty  feet  from  the  ground.  He  was  just 
above  the  spot  where  a  number  of  big  branches  put  out,  in  different  directions.  He 
surrounded  the  tree  four  or  five  times,  while  fully  a  dozen  feet  of  his  neck  and  head 
were  extended  along  one  of  the  limbs. 

The  reptile  was  motionless  from  head  to  tail,  though,  if  it  chose,  it  could  have 
unwound  itself  with  great  rapidity. 

The  four  sportsmen  stood  for  a  minute,  gazing  in  silent  awe. 

"  Did  you  ever  see  the  like  ?  "  asked  Bob. 
%  "Never,"  replied  Dick,  "and  I  can't  say  that  I'm  anxious  to  see  it  again." 

"  And  yet  there  are  plenty  of  them,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin. 

"Do  you  think  it  sees  us?" 

"  Likely  enough,  for  it  is  on  the  watch  for  game,  and  they  have  a  keen  vision." 

"Suppose  it  should  unwind  and  come  for  us?" 

"  It  would  be  a  good  time  to  leave,"  was  the  half  jocular  remark  of  Mr.  Godkin; 
«*  but  I  don't  apprehend  anything  of  the  kind,  unless  we  venture  nearer." 


•*  ONE TWO THREE  !  " 


17$ 


The  flat,  hideous  head  was  far  out  on  the  branch,  which  bowed  considerably, 
under  the  unusual  weight. 

While  the  party  were  surveying  the  vast  reptile,  the  front  of  the  hoad  was 
observed  to  rise  a  few  inches,  the  base  remaining  on  the  support. 

It  looked  as  if  he  had  espied  the  parties  below,  and  was  saying:  "You'll  do  very 
<vell;  please  come  a  little  closer." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Godkin,"  said  Bob,  «  shall  we  try  it  ?  " 

"Yes;  the  mark  is  so  fair  that  we  can't  miss." 

"  It  seems  impossible  for  a  single  bullet  to  kill  such  an  enormous  creature  as 
that,"  said  Dick,  "  but  I  suppose  it  will  do  so,  if  it  is  rightly  aimed." 

"  That  is  at  the  head  ?  "  asked  Bob. 

"  Yes,  though  there  is  the  heart, 
which  would  do  as  well,  if  we  could 
only  locate  it.  But  we  will  try  the 
head,  and  we  must  shoot  together,  so 
us  to  give  him  a  triple  dose." 


'THIRTY-ONE  FEET,  THREE  INCHES." 


The  preliminaries  were 
quickly  settled.  It  was  agreed 
that  when  Bob  and  Dick  were 
sure  their  aim  was  accurate, 
they  were  to  utter  a  slight 

exclamation.     Then  Mr.  Godkin  would  count  slowly,  and  at  the  word  "  Three!"  all 
Would  pull  trigger. 

The  boys  kept  their  bodies  well  hidden  behind  the  broad  trunk  at  their  side, 
while  Pongo  watched  the  hunters  with  a  vivid  interest,  which  possibly  may  be 
imagined. 

Carefully  and  coolly  our  friends  pointed  their  rifles  at  the  head  of  the  reptile. 
Holding  them  stationary  for  a  few  seconds  only,  the  cousins  softly  spoke: 
"Now!" 

"  One  —  two  —  three!  " 

The  three  reports  sounded  like  one,  and  the  bullets  tore  their  way  clean  through 
{he  constrictor's  head,  each  taking  a  fatal  course,  and  only  a  few  inches  apart. 

The  monster  did  not  stir  for  perhaps  five  seconds.  It  must  have  been  that  that 
length  of  time  was  required  for  it  to  discover  that  its  "time  had  come.'* 


i8o  "ONE  —  TWO  —  THREE!" 

All  at  once,  it  was  seen  to  be  winding  and  unwinding  its  body  with  lightning- 
like  rapidity,  whipping  among  the  branches  with  a  fury  that  looked  as  if  it  must 
splinter  everything  within  reach. 

"  It  may  come  this  way,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  who  saw  that  it  was  gradually 
working  toward  the  ground,  where,  when  it  arrived  and  continued  its  struggles,  it 
would  be  like  the  piece  of  pyrotechny  known  as  a  "  chaser,"  which  darts  in  the  most 
unexpected  directions.  The  snake  was  liable  to  make  a  plunge  toward  the  specta- 
tors, without  meaning  it,  but,  in  such  an  event,  the  results  were  sure  to  be  disastrous. 

Every  one  moved  nimbly  back  a  couple  of  rods,  where  the  sight  was  partly 
obscured,  observing  which,  Mr.  Godkin  again  stepped  forward,  determined  to  miss 
nothing. 

The  terrific  threshing  lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  when  it  gradually  ceased,  and 
all  became  still. 

"  I  believe  the  creature  is  dead,"  said  the  gentleman,  stepping  a  little  nearef 
and  peering  carefully  through  the  undergrowth. 

"  Have  a  care  !  "  admonished  Bob ;  "  you  can  well  afford  to  wait  until  certain." 

The  advice  was  good  and  was  heeded.  All,  however,  went  far  enough  to  observe 
that  the  reptile  lay  on  the  ground,  contorted  and  partly  coiled  and  as  motionless  as 
when  it  was  first  descried  in  the  branches  of  the  tree. 

"  He  dead,"  said  Pongo,  who  showed  his  faith  by  going  forward  and  kicking 
the  body.  A  nervous  twitching  of  the  tail  caused  the  others  some  misgiving,  but 
there  remained  no  doubt  that  the  boa-constrictor  was  lifeless. 

The  next  wish,  after  inspecting  it,  was  to  ascertain  its  length.  This  was  rather 
difficult,  owing  to  its  twisted  posture  on  the  ground,  but  Pongo  with  some  effort 
stretched  the  snake  at  full  length  upon  the  ground,  and  Mr.  Godkin  applied  his 
tape  measure,  from  the  tip  of  the  tail  to  the  extremity  of  the  head. 

Shall  I  tell  you  the  precise  length  ? 

"  Thirty-one  feet,  three  inches." 


CHAPTER  XXXII. 

CONCERNING     SNAKES. 

"WOULDN'T  the  public  open  its 
eyes  if  it  could  see  that?"  said  Jack 
Harvey  that  night,  as  he  sat  with  his 
friends,  talking  over  their  experience 
with  the  boa-constrictor. 

"So  would  any  person,"  replied  Mr. 
Godkin  :  "there  are  authentic  instances 
of  pythons  growing  to  a  length  of  twenty- 
eight  and  thirty  feet,  but  they  are  rare." 
"  I'm    glad  we   have  nothing  of  the 
kind  in  our  country,"  said  Bob  Marshal], 
"though  I've  heard  of  some  pretty  big  ones  in  Jack's  State." 

"Yes,  we  have  a  few  healthy  rattlers  down  in  Arizona  and  Texas  and  around 
there,  but  they  are  always  manly  enough  to  give  warning  before  they  strike." 

"  I've  seen  a  black-snake  kill  the  crotalus  horridus"  said  Dick,  "  if  you  will  allow 
a  technical  term.' 

"How  was  that?"  asked  Mr.  Godkin;  "I  have  met  both  kinds,  but  never 
witnessed  that." 

"The  black-snake,  you  know,  is  a  constrictor,  and  therefore  not  poisonous,  but 
he  is  a  good  deal  more  lively  than  the  rattlesnake.  When  they  go  for  each  other, 
the  black  one  easily  dodges  the  blows  of  the  other  and  soon  squeezes  him  to 
death." 

"How  large  a  rattlesnake  have  you  seen?" 

"None  with  more  than  a  dozen  rattles,  which  is  a  pretty  good  size,  but  I  know 
a  Mr.  Hall,  who,  when  riding  through  Illinois,  many  years  ago,  on  horseback, 
saw  a  great  snake  crawling  across  the  road  ahead  of  him.  There  was  no  fence 
on  either  side,  but  the  serpent  crept  in  among  some  tall  dry  grass,  where  his  eye 
could  easily  follow  him.  Mr.  Hall  dismounted,  leaving  his  horse  alone,  for  there 
was  nothing  to  tie  him  to,  picked  up  a  hoop-pole  from  a  pile  at  the  side  of  the  road, 
and  started  after  the  fellow.  He  saw  that  he  was  a  monster  and  he  meant  to  kill 
him. 

"  Running  up  as  close  as  he  dared,  he  hit  him  a  smart  rap,  for  a  slight  blow  will 
kill  a  rattler.  It  instantly  coiled  to  strike,  but  he  jumped  back  out  of  the  way. 
The  snake  started  on  and  the  gentleman  ran  forward  and  struck  it  again.  He  said 
the  hoop-pole  was  so  slender  that  it  bent  as  he  brought  it  down,  and  the  blow  was 
too  weak,  therefore,  to  be  effective. 

181 


BOA  CONSTRICTOR. 


CONCERNING    SNAKES. 


i83 


"  The  snake  repeated  its  tactics,  but  it  was  easy  enough  to  keep  out  of ',  >  way. 
By  and  by  he  caught  the  white  gleam  of  its  belly,  and  he  knew  that  his  blc*  &  were 
telling.  So  he  rained  them  faster  arid  faster,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  reptile  was 
as  dead  as  a  door-nail.  He  said  the  snake,  a  short  distance  below  its  head,  was  as 
big  around  as  his  leg  above  the  knee.  He  cut  off  the  rattles,  and  kept  them  for 
many  years.  I  saw  and  counted  them." 

"How  many?" 

"Thirty-two." 

[I  may  state,  parenthetically,  that  the  story  told  by  Dick  Brownell  is  strictly 
true.  Mr.  Hall  killed  a  rattlesnake  with  thirty-two  rattles,  as  described,  in  the  State 
of  Illinois,  in  1842.] 


A  PRODUCT  OF  OUR  OWN  COUNTRY. 


"I  never  saw  any  as  large  as  that,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "though  one  of  them  that 
buried  his  fangs  in  my  finger  had  half  as  many  rattles." 

"  What  did  you  do  for  the  bite  ?  " 

"  I  drank  nearly  a  pint  of  brandy." 

"  At  what  time  of  the  year  was  it  ?  " 

"  Quite  early  in  summer." 

"  You  probably  would  have  done  as  well  without  any  medicine  at  all,  for  the 
rattlesnake's  bite  is  not  very  deadly  except  between  the  first  of  August  and  the  time 
he  goes  into  winter  quarters.  You  know  how  sluggish  he  is,  and  that  he  never  bites 
without  warning,  and  then  only  when  he  is  disturbed;  but  the  cobra,  for  instance, 
comes  crawling  into  a  hut  when  its  inmates  are  asleep,  and  lets  fly  with  that  hooded 
head  and  his  bursting  poison-sacs,  the  instant  he  gets  a  chance,  and  his  bite  in 
deadly  at  all  times." 


CONCERNING    SNAKES. 


"  Yes;  he  is  one  of  the  worst  known.  How  many  orders  are  there  of  serpents, 
Dick  ?  " 

"  About  a  thousand,  I  believe,  which  is  just  a  thousand  too  many." 
"Do  you  know  of  any  method  of  telling  whether  the  wound  of  a  snake  is  poison- 
ous, since  you  cannot  always  identify  the  species  by  its  appearance  ?  " 

"  If  the  wound  consists  of  numerous  punctured  orifices  placed  in  two  curved 
lines,  the  snake-bite  is  harmless,  but  when  there  are  only  two  punctures,  you  may 
make  up  your  mind  that  it  is  a  venomous  snake  that  has  inflicted  them,  though 
there  are  some  harmless  ones  whose  two  long  fangs  are  not  perforated  in  front." 
"  How  many  species  are  there  of  the  viperida  family  ?  " 

"  About  twenty-two; 
all  have  a  single  per- 
forated tooth  on  each 
side  of  the  upper  jaw, 
and  belong  to  the  East- 
ern Hemisphere,  espe- 
cially in  Africa." 

"Yes,"  said  Mr.  God- 
kin,  "  it  was  one  of  that 
species  which  is  cred- 
ited with  causing  the 
death  of  Cleopatra.  The 
horned  snake  of  Egypt 
is  one  of  the  most  re- 
markable species." 

"I  saw  a  specimen  in 
Mr  Barnum's  museum. 
A  little  horny  spur  pro- 
jects above  the  eye,  and 
the  snake  was  about  two 
feet  long,  with  a  sandy 
red  color  and  irregular 

brownish  markings.     They  are  very  fond  of  the  heat,  and  will  luxuriate  in  the  flam- 
ing sands  of  the  desert,  where  almost  any  other  creature  would  die." 

"The  European  species  is  the  only  venomous  reptile  found  in  Great  Britain, 
and  even  that  is  not  very  dangerous.  So  that  England  is  more  favored  in  the 
respect  you  name  than  are  the  United  States,  while  Ireland  is  ahead  of  every  other 
country.  Speaking  of  the  rattlesnake,  however,  can  you  tell  me  of  how  many  species 
the  crotalidce  family  consists?  I  will  let  Bob  answer,  -if  he  pleases." 

"About  forty  pit  vipers,"  replied  the  lad  with  a  laugh,  for  he,  too,  had  studied 
the  subject  quite  fully,  "  so  called  from  having  a  deep  pit  on  the  side  of  the  snout 
They  are  absent  from  Europe,  Africa,  and  Australia,  but  are  plentiful  in  America, 
and  of  course,  some  of  them  are  found  in  Asia  and  the  East  Indies." 


CONCERNING    SNAKES. 


i8S 


THE  HORNED  SNAKE. 

"The  Asiatic  species  of  pit  vipers  are  a  good  deal  smaller  in  size  than  the 
American  species,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin. 

"And  a  great  deal  more  dangerous,"  added  Bob;  "they  lack  the  rattle,  though 
the  genus  halys  comes  pretty  near  it.  The  genus  trimeresurus  are  so  vicious  when 
aroused,  that  they  will  strike  at  everything  within  reach  and  will  sometimes  bite 
themselves,  which  is  a  habit  to  be  encouraged.  There  is  a  species  found  in  Java 
and  Siam,  a  single  one  of  which  has  been  known  to  kill  two  persons,  who  died 
within  five  minutes  of  each  other." 

"  Hold  on  !  draw  it  mild,"  said  the  wondering  Jack  Harvey. 
"  Did  you  see  any  of  the  hydrophidce  on  your  way  here  ?  " 
"  No,  I  wasn't  introduced  to  any  of  them,"  replied  the  Texan. 
"  I  have  noticed  quite  a  number  between  Calcutta  and  Ceylon,"  said  the  director. 

"They  are  abundant  in  the  Indian 
and  Australian  seas,  for  the  whole 
distance  between  Madagascar  and 
Panama.  Those  which  I  saw  were 
all  of  the  pelamis  bicolor  species. 
None  of  them  was  more  than  three 
feet  in  length,  and  they  never  leave 
the  water. 

"  I  believe  there  are  about  a  hun- 
dred species  of  the  elapidce  family,  to 
which  the  cobra  belongs,"  ad  •ted  Mr. 


i86 


CONCERNING    SNAKES. 


Godkin;  "  and  from  the  knowledge  you  boys  have  displayed  of  the  subject,  I  don't 
suppose  it  is  necessary  for  me  to  say  that  plenty  of  them  are  met  with  in  Australia, 
and  the  Egyptian  cobra  is  often  seen  in  Cairo.  There  is  one  group  which  I  am 
quite  sure  you  have  not  seen,  boys." 

"What  is  that?" 

"The  acrochoridcz." 

"No;  we  never  saw  any  specimens." 

"There  are  only  three  or  four  species  belonging  to  the  acrochoridtz  or  wart 
snakes,  but,  of  course,  they  abound  in  Southern  India." 

"Yes;  and  in  Singapore,  Borneo  and  New  Guinea." 


Bl 


A  PIT  VIPER. 

The  conversation  had  drifted  into  this  scientific  channel  without  premeditation 
on  the  part  of  any  one.  Mr.  Godkin's  study  and  experience  had  given  him  a 
knowledge  of  the  animal  kingdom  above  the  ordinary,  and  now  and  then  he  liked 
to  quiz  his  young  friends,  who  showed  by  their  replies  that  they  had  given  much 
attention  to  the  same  interesting  subject. 

During  the  talk,  Jack  Harvey  quietly  smoked  his  pipe  and  listened  in  awed 
wonder.  He  had  never  heard  such  terms  used,  and  consequently  they  were  Gree'k 
to  him.  Now  and  then  he  uttered  a  protest,  and  at  the  last  remark  of  the  director 
turned  such  a  reproving  look  upon  him  that  all  laughed. 

"I  hope  you'll  catch  that  critter,"  said  he,  "but  you'll  never  be  able  to  get  him 
across  the  water  alive." 


CONCERNING    SNAKES.  187 

"Why  not?" 

"  His  name  will  be  the  death  of  him.     What  others  are  there  ?  " 

"  There  is  the  acrochordus  javanicus" 

"What  sort  of  <cus'  is  that?" 

"  I  never  saw  one,  and  indeed  but  a  single  person  that  had  looked  upon  one. 
The  serpent  belongs  in  Java  and  is  about  eight  feet  long.  Its  face  resembles  that 
of  a  thorough-bred  bull  dog,  and  it  is  believed  to  live  on  fruit,  though  very  little 
is  known  about  it.  However,"  added  Mr.  Godkin,  with  a  sigh,  "we  haven't  half 
exhausted  the  subject,  for  there  are  the  other  families,  including  the  pythons,  boa^. 
rock-snakes,  blunt-head  snakes,  whip  snakes,  tree  snakes,  desert  snakes,  dwary 
snakes,  flesh-eating  snakes  (found  in  Penang,  Singapore,  Gamboja,  Sumatra,  Java, 
Celebes  and  Borneo),  short  tails,  blind  snakes,  double-enders  and  scores  of  others. 
But  we  have  had  enough." 

"A  little  too  much,"  said  Jack  Harvey;  "what  is  the  fancy  name  for  a  grizzly 
bear?" 

"Ursus  horribilis" 

"  That  ain't  right,"  said  the  Texan,  decisively. 

"What  is  it,  then?" 

"Old  Ephraim." 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

A   REMINISCENCE. 


"¥ES,  sir,"  added  Jack 
of  the  grizzly  is  Old  Eph- 
out  hunting  with  any  of 
wouldn't  be  well  to  forget 

"Do  you  know,"   said 


Harvey,    "the  right  name 
raim,  and,  if  you  ever  go 
the   boys   in  Californy,   it 
that  fact." 
Bob  Marshall,"  that  to  hear 


you  speak  of  the  grizzly  bear  makes  me  homesick  ?  It  comes  like  a  breath  of  air 
from  the  Rocky  Mountains;  no  other  country  in  the  world  can  produce  the  magnifi- 
cent grizzly  bear,  and  I  am  proud  of  it." 

"So  am  I,"  added  Dick  Brownell,  with  a  radiant  countenance;  "I've  heard  the 
animal  called  Old  Ephraim,  and  it  gave  me  a  pleasant  thrill  when  Jack  pronounced 
the  name.  Here  we  are  in  the  Dark  Continent,  with  a  climate  that  half  the  time  is 
like  an  oven,  with  snakes  and  all  sorts  of  horrible  creatures  around  us  :  how  can  I 
help  thinking  of  my  own  glorious  West,  with  its  snowy  mountains,  its  green,  rolling 
prairies,  and  its  grizzly  bears.  Ah,  me  !  "  added  the  youth  with  a  sigh,  which  was 
shared  in  spirit  by  his  friends,  "  I  sometimes  wonder  what  possessed  us  to  come  to 
such  a  country  as  this." 

"  The  same  reason,  or  lack  of  reason,  which  prompts  the  arctic  explorer  that 
returns  from  the  land  of  desolation,  broken  in  health,  to  sigh  to  return  again," 
replied  Mr.  Godkin,  who  repressed  the  longing  that  often  came  over  him  to  hasten 
to  his  beloved  America,  thousands  of  miles  away. 

"Tell  us  something  about  the  dear  old  grizzly  bears,"  said  Bob,  with  such  a 
pleading  look  at  the  Texan  that  he  could  not  resist  the  appeal. 

188 


A    REMINISCENCE. 


i8g 


"The  only  trouble,"  said  Jack,  "is  that  I've  been  in  so  many  scrimmages  with 
the  Old  Ephraims,  that  it's  hard  work  to  pick  out  the  most  interesting." 

"  Let  us  hear  about  the  first  time  you  met  him,"  suggested  Mr.  Godkin. 

"Well,  that's  about  as  entertainin'  as  any  of  the  other  fights,  leastways  it  was 
so  to  me,  for  it  happened  a  good  many  years  ago,  afore  I  had  learned  to  sling  the 
lasso,  but  not  afore  I  thought  I  knowed  a  good  deal  more  than  I'm  sure  I  know  now. 


THE  GRIZZLY  BEAR. 

"  Me  and  Bill  Lamokin  picked  up  a  sick  miner  in  'Frisco  one  day,  and  took  the 
best  care  we  could  of  him.  He  had  some  sort  of  fever,  that  the  doctors  couldn't 
handle,  but  the  main  trouble  with  the  poor  fellow  was  that  he'd  got  it  into  his  head 
that  he  couldn't  live,  and  when  a  sick  man  is  in  that  shape,  he's  sure  to  pass  in  his 
checks,  in  spite  of  a  cityful  of  doctors. 

"  Howsumever,  me  and  Bill  done  the  square  thing,  and  was  with  him  when  he 


i  go 


A    REMINISCENCE. 


died.  The  chap  felt  so  thankful  like,  that  he  give  us  a  slip  of  paper  with  a  lot  of 
figgers  and  marks  on  it,  and  explained  that  if  we'd  follow  the  directions  there,  arter 
reaching  a  certain  part  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  we'd  strike  it  rich.  There  was  plenty 
of  gold  dust,  and  it  wouldn't  take  us  long  to  scoop  in  enough  to  buy  out  the  bigger 
part  of  'Frisco. 

"Well,  arter  the  poor  miner  was  shoved  under  ground,  Bill  and  me  got  ready 
to  look  into  the  matter.  I  reasoned  that  we  was  so  blamed  poor  that  we  couldn't 
get  any  poorer,  so  that  if  we  made  a  miss  of  it,  we  wouldn't  be  any  worse  off  than 
we  was  afore  we  started. 

"  The  upshot  of  all  this  speculatin'  was  that  at  the  end  of  a  month  we  was  close 
to  the  hidden  gold  mine.  We  each  had  a  mule,  but  we  concluded  that,  if  we  struck 
a  pile  of  the  dust,  we'd  cache  it  and  then  come  back  with  a  big  enough  drove  of 
mules  to  carry  it  to  the  mint  in  'Frisco. 

"  To  tell  the  truth,  Bill  didn't  seem  to  have  as  much  faith  in  the  thing  as  I  did, 
and  he  insisted  that  we  should  prospect  while  we  was  on  our  way  there  :  that  was 
the  reason  why  we  was  so  long  in  getting  fairly  into  the  Sierras. 

"  As  near  as  I  can  figger,  we  couldn't  have  been  more  than  twenty  miles  from 
the  spot,  when  we  went  into  camp,  in  one  of  the  wildest  places  I  ever  set  foot  on. 

"  It  was  early  in  the  afternoon,  and  we  was  as  hungry  as  '  get  out.'  Bill  agreed 
to  start  the  fire  and  put  the  camp  in  shape,  while  I  set  off  to  hunt  supper.  Ante- 
lope, elk  and  deer  was  plenty,  and  I  was  sure  of  shooting  all  I  wanted  without  long 
hunting. 

"  Howsumever,  the  animals  was  so  shy  that  it  was  a  full  hour  afore  I  got  a  shot 
at  one  of  the  critters,  and  then  he  give  me  such  a  long  run  that  I  got  mad  and  let 
him  go.  He  had  led  me  a  good  distance  up  among  the  rocks,  into  one  of  the  wildest 
places  I  ever  seen.  It  was  right  on  a  high  precipice  that  overhung  a  deep  stream, 
a  long  ways  below,  which  made  me  fairly  dizzy  when  I  looked  down  at  the  water. 

"  I  wasn't  very  good-natured,  you  may  depend,  when  I  turned  about  to  hunt  for 
other  game,  but  all  thoughts  of  my  disappointment  were  knocked  out  of  my  head 
when,  after  walking  a  few  yards,  I  found  myself  face  to  face  with  an  Old  Ephraim, 
as  big  as  Samson,  that  old  grizzly  Adams  used  to  show  in  Barnum's  Museum. 

"  That  was  the  first  time  I  had  ever  looked  on  the  critter,  though  I  was  in  a 
region  where  they  was  quite  plenty,  and  you  needn't  wonder  when  I  tell  you  that  it 
fairly  knocked  my  breath  from  me  for  a  minute  or  two. 

"  He  was  standing  right  in  my  path,  as  I  wanted  to  leave  the  high  place  among 
the  rocks,  though  it  looked  as  if  there  was  a  chance  for  an  active  young  gentleman 
like  me  to  dash  around  him. 

"  I  had  a  good  gun  with  me,  but  it  wasn't  a  Winchester.  It  was  a  single-shot 
breech-loader,  and  I  knowed  how  to  handle  it  pretty  well.  I  reckoned  that  one 
bullet,  when  I  had  the  chance  to  take  good  aim,  was  enough  to  settle  the  hash  of 
any  critter,  whether  he  was  Old  Ephraim  or  not,  and,  as  the  weapon  was  ready  for 
use,  I  can't  say  that  I  felt  shaky  at  looking  him  in  the  eye,  with  only  about  fifty 
yards  between  us. 


"OLD  EPHRAIM  HAD  COME  TO  TOWN."— Page  192 


IQ3  A    REMINISCENCE. 

"  The  critter  seemed  as  surprised  at  first  as  I  was.  He  stood  with  a  stupid, 
inquiring  look  tor  a  minute,  and  then  rose  on  his  haunches,  and  began  pawing  the 
air  in  a  playful  way,  as  if  to  coax  me  to  go  up  to  him,  and  let  him  give  me  a  reg'lar 
old-fashioned  hug. 

"  Not  much,  I  said  to  myself,  raising  my  gun,  and,  sighting  at  the  place  where  I 
'sposed  his  heart  was,  I  let  drive,  and  then  banged  the  stock  of  my  rifle  down 
on  my  foot,  and  looked  up  to  see  him  keel  over  like  a  meeting-house  when  its 
foundation  gives  out. 

"  But  he  didn't  keel.  He  pawed  at  his  flesh  as  though  the  wound  was  a  splintu 
which  he  was  trying  to  pull  out.  I  was  sure  he  would  turn  up  his  toes  the  next 
minute ;  but,  while  I  was  watchin'  for  it,  he  dropped  down  on  all  fours  and  lumbered 
toward  me  at  a  gait  that  left  no  time  to  load  my  gun  again. 

"  If  there  ever  was  a  scared  young  man,  it  was  Jack  Harvey  about  that  time. 
Right  behind  me  was  the  precipice,  with  the  deep  river  far  below.  The  grizzly  was 
in  front,  and,  coming  so  fast  that  I  couldn't  load  up  again  nor  get  by  him.  The  only 
weapons  left  was  my  hunting  knife  and  revolver. 

"  Yanking  out  the  pistol,  I  emptied  every  chamber  into  him  when  he  was  less 
than  twenty  feet  away.  I'm  sure,  too,  that  each  bullet  lodged  in  his  big  body,  and 
yet,  for  all  the  effect  they  produced,  they  might  as  well  have  been  fired  against  a 
stone  wall. 

"  By  the  time  I  could  get  out  my  knife,  Old  Ephraim  had  come  to  town. 

"  I  knowed  it  was  no  use  trying  to  fight  him  with  only  my  knife,  for  he  could 
chaw  me  up  afore  I  could  prick  him.  Feeling  that  I  had  made  a  mistake  in  not 
jumping  over  into  the  water,  I  started  ;  but  what  held  me  back  "was  the  fear  that 
the  stream  was  not  so  deep  as  it  looked.  In  such  a  wild  place  a  current  is  likely  to 
have  all  kinds  of  depths  —  that  is,  in  some  places  it  would  take  a  pole  fifty  or  a 
hundred  feet  to  touch  bottom,  while  right  alongside  it  a  p'inted  rock  might  push  up 
within  an  inch  or  two  of  the  surface. 

"  Now,  if  I  should  happen  to  drop  on  one  of  them  p'ints,  you  can  see  that  it 
would  be  rather  bad  for  me,  and  it  was  that  which  kept  me  from  jumping  until  it 
was  almost  too  late. 

"Just  as  I  turned,  Old  Ephraim  grabbed  me,  with  the  intention  of  crushing  my 
ribs  into  a  pulp,  and  I  knowed  that  the  question  had  to  be  settled  in  the  next 
minute  or  two.  I  put  forth  all  the  strength  I  had  to  break  loose,  but  I  couldn't. 
Howsumever,  I  done  that  which  was  next  best.  The  grizzly  was  so  close  that  I 
upset  his  balance,  and  over  we  both  went. 

"Well,"  added  Jack  Harvey,  with  a  sigh  at  the  recollection,  "that  was  a  good 
many  years  ago,  but  I  don't  think  I'll  forget  about  it  if  I  live  to  be  as  old  as  Godkin 
there.  It  seemed  to  me  that  we  were  about  an  hour  and  a  half  falling  through  the 
air  afore  we  struck  the  water,  and,  when  we  done  so,  it  must  have  sounded  as  though 
the  top  of  the  mountain  had  tipped  over  into  the  stream. 

"I  remember  that  at  the  minute  we  went  off  the  ledge,  I  tried  to  bring  Old 
Ephraim  under  me,  so  that  if  we  did  stop  too  suddenly,  he  would  get  the  benefit  of 


A    REMINISCENCE. 

it,  but,  lucky  for  me,  the  water  was  so  deep  that  we  must  have  sunk  twenty  feet 
afore  I  felt  my  foot  touch  the  rocky  bottom. 

"  I  lost  my  hold  of  the  grizzly  when  I  struck  the  water,  for  I  had  gripped  him 
by  the  long  hair  at  the  back  of  his  shoulders,  and  I  hoped  to  get  to  the  surface 
again  ahead  of  him.  But,  when  I  come  up,  there  he  was,  and  he  went  for  me  with  a 
rush. 

"  I  had  a  better  chance  in  the  water,  and,  dropping  down,  I  dove  under  him, 
taking  care  when  I  came  up  to  grab  the  hair  on  his  back,  and  held  on  with  both 
hands. 

"  Wasn't  he  furious  ?  He  growled  and  began  swimming  round  and  round  after 
me,  but,  since  it  was  easy  enough  to  hang  on,  it  was  like  a  kitten  chasing  its  tail, 
and  he  never  quite  reached  me,  though  he  was  so  close  more  than  once  that  I 
expected  he  would. 

"  Well,  this  thing  went  on  till  Ephraim  began  to  get  it  through  his  head  that  he 
couldn't  draw  a  hand  that  would  win.  Then  he  headed  straight  for  the  other  shore 
with  me  towing  after  him,  as  though  he  was  playing  the  part  of  a  steam-tug. 

"I  wasn't  yet  out  of  the  scrape,  for  if  we  should  both  land,  the  grizzly  would 
have  me  foul,  and  I  couldn't  swim  back  to  the  shore  behind  me,  for  that  was  a  solid 
stone  wall  where  a  rat  couldn't  land. 

"  So  I  gently  let  go,  just  afore  we  reached  land,  took  a  long  dive,  only  allowing 
my  nose  to  come  up  for  a  niff  of  air,  went  down  again,  and,  when  I  finally  opened 
my  eyes,  I  was  a  dozen  yards  below  Ephraim. 

"Would  you  believe  it?  There  he  stood  on  the  shore,  with  his  snout  out  over 
the  water,  waiting  for  me  to  come  up  within  reach.  He  didn't  know  enough  to  look 
down  stream  for  me,  and,  by  managing  things  right,  I  drifted  so  far  off  that,  before 
long,  I  was  able  to  leave  the  stream  without  danger  from  him. 

"  It  was  a  long  journey  round  to  the  top  of  the  rock  where  I  had  left  my  rifle, 
and,  by  the  time  I  laid  hands  on  it  again,  it  was  growing  dark,  and  I  had  to  go  baek 
to  camp  without  anything  for  supper." 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

BEARS     AND     KANGAROOS. 

'HE  gold  mine  in  the  mountains  —  what  of  that?"  asked  Mr. 
Godkin,  who,  like  the  boys,  was  much  interested  in  the 
story  of  the  Texan.     The  latter  uttered  a  sniff  of  disgust. 
"I've  no  doubt  it  is  there  just  where  the  chap  said 
it  was." 

"Why,  then,  didn't  you  find  it?  —  or,  perhaps,  you 
did,  and  you  are  a  disguised  millionaire,"  remarked  Bob 
Marshall. 

"Remember,"  added  Dick, with  mock  eagerness,  "that 
we  are  your  friends,  and  will  stand  by  you  as  long  as  the 
money  lasts." 

"Dc  you  know,"  said  Jack  Harvey,  looking  up  almost  angrily,  "  what  that  con- 
founded Old  Ephraim  did  ?  " 
"  He  got  away  from  you." 
"Worse  than  that." 
"What  was  it?" 

"  He  made  me  lose  the  paper  that  had  the  directions  to  the  gold  mine.  Some- 
how or  other,  it  got  out  of  my  pocket  during  the  circus  in  the  water,  and  I  never 
laid  eyes  on  it  again.  Bill  and  me  spent  all  next  day  in  searching  'round  the  spot, 
and  then  made  up  our  mind  that  Old  Ephraim  found  it  and  chawed  it  up  on  purpose." 
"  I  should  have  thought  you  would  have  remembered  everything  on  it  from  read- 
ing it  so  often." 

"That's  what  we  both  thought;  but,  when  Bill  studied  it,  he  must  have  held  it 
upside  down,  or  else  I  did,  for  our  recollection  didn't  agree  very  well.  Neither  Bill 
nor  me  was  much  of  a  scholar,  and  I  suppose  the  truth  of  it  was  we  got  things 
mixed.  Buc  it's  sure  that,  though  we  spent  weeks  in  the  mountains,  we  never 
found  any  place  that  answered  the  description  of  the  miner,  and  we  come  back  to 
'Frisco  the  worst-looking  tramps  you  ever  laid  eyes  on." 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  said  Bob,  "  that  the  bear  is  one  of  the  most  widely  distributed 
of  animals." 

"Yes,"  replied  the  director,  "he  is  found  in  many  different  parts  of  the  world, 
and  you  know  we  have  several  varieties  in  our  own  country,  besides  Old  Ephraim 
that  Jack  has  just  told  us  about." 

"  Bob  and  I  have  hunted  the  black  and  brown  bear,"  said  Dick,  "  and  there  are 
few  sportsmen  in  the  Eastern  States  who  cannot  tell  you  of  some  adventures  with 
them." 

194 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


195 


"What  is  there  peculiar  about  the  Malay  bear?" 

"  He  is  called  Bruang  by  the  Malays,  and  is  a  native  of  Sumatra,  Borneo  and 
Java  and  the  Malayan  Peninsula.  He  is  about  four  feet  long,  and  two  feet  high  at 
the  shoulders.  He  is  remarkable  for  his  power  of  protruding  his  lips.  He  has  a 
long  tongue  and  claws,  and  is  very  fond  of  honey,  which  is  also  a  weakness  of  other 
bears." 


THE  BROWN  BEAR. 

"  Why  are  some  of  them  called  sun  bears  . 

"  Because  of  their  fondness  for  basking  in  the  sun  instead  of  keeping  in  their 
dens  during  the  daytime." 

"The  sloth  bear,  I  believe,  belongs  to  India,"  said  Bob. 

"Yes;  he  is  found  at  Nepaul,  Benares  and  the  Southern  Mahratta  country. 
When  Vie  was  first  taken  to  Europe,  a  good  many  took  him  for  a  sloth.  He,  too 
can  protrude  his  lips  to  a  considerable  extent.  His  muzzle  is  elongated,  and,  like 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 

the  ends  of  the  feet,  is  whitish  or  yellowish.  He  is  fond  of  fruits,  honey  and  white 
ants,  and  in  captivity  is  mild  and  melancholy." 

"The  polar  bear  seems  to  be  able  to  stand  warm  weather  as  well  as  cold," 
remarked  Dick,  "for  I  know  Mr.  Barnum  has  hardly  ever  been  without  one  in  his 
show,  which  does  most  of  its  business  during  warm  weather." 

[As  a  proof  of  the  ability  of  the  polar  bear  to  undergo  high  temperature,  I  may 
add  that  "Dick,"  still  alive  and  many  years  old,  was  the  only  bear  that  survived 
the  great  fire  at  Bridgeport,  in  November,  1887.] 

"Mr.  Godkin,"  said  Bob  Marshall,  "how  long  have  you  been  in  the  employ  of 
the  menageries  ?  ' ' 


BLACK  BEAR. 

"It's  along  time,"  he  answered,  "dating  away  back  from  before  either  of  you 
were  born.  It  so  happened  that  I  landed  in  India  just  previous  to  the  breaking 
out  of  the  great  Sepoy  mutiny  of  '57." 

"  Were  you  there  through  that  war  ?  "  asked  Dick. 

"Through  a  good  deal  of  it,  and  I  had  one  of  the  strangest  adventures  that  ever 
befell  a  person.  I  won't  tell  you  about  it  this  evening,"  he  added,  observing  the 
expectant  looks  of  his  friends,  "but  some  time  I'll  give  you  the  story." 

"You  have  been  in  Africa  before?" 

"  Yes,  I  made  a  visit  to  Bechuana  Land  some  years  since,  and  I  spent  one  season 
in  Australia-" 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


19? 


KANGAROO  FAMILY. 


"  Hunting  for  kangaroos,  I  suppose  ?  " 

"That  was  the  principal   business,  but  Australia  can   furnish  a  good   many 
curiosities  besides  tne  kangaroo,  though  I  think  that  animal  leads  them  all  in 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


interest.  However,  I  suppose  you  young  gentlemen  know  so  much  about  the 
creatures,"  said  the  director  with  a  smile.  "  that  you  won't  care  to  hear  anything 
from  me." 


THE  MALAY  BEAR. 


The  boys  hastened  to  protest  against  any  such  view,  and  plied  their  questions 
so  fast  that  Mr.  Godkin  laughingly  waved  them  back,  and  made  known  some  facts 
which,  I  think,  are  new  to  you. 

"The  young  of  the  kangaroo  are  born  in  an  embryotic  state,  and  are  placed  at 
tince  in  the  curious  marsupium,  or  pouch,  belonging  to  the  mother,  where  they  attach 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


199 


themselves  to  the  nipples.  There  they  cling  till  their  limbs  are  gradually  formed 
and  they  are  able  to  go  alone.  It  is  pleasing  to  see  the  odd-looking  creatures 
hopping  about  their  mother,  and,  on  the  first  appearance  of  danger,  dodging  into 
the  friendly  pouch,  where  they  stay  till  it  is  past,  perhaps  peeping  out  now  and 
then  to  observe  how  matters  are  going." 


THE  POLAR  BEAR. 

"  That  certainly  is  a  remarkable  provision  of  nature." 

"But  not  everyone  understands  the  most  wonderful  features  about  it.  The 
embryotic  kangaroo  at  its  birth  is  less  than  two  inches  long,  and,  although  it  has 
the  power  to  grasp  the  mother's  nipple,  it  isn't  strong  enough  to  draw  nourishment 
therefrom." 


2OO  BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 

"  How  in  the  mischief  does  it  get  along  ?  "  asked  Jack  Harvey,  "  that  is,  if  you 
can  tell  a  fellow  without  the  use  of  any  of  those  big  Dutch  words." 

"  You  will  allow  me,  however,  to  say  that  it  belongs  to  the  genus  macropus. 
Well,  since  the  young  one  cannot  pump  her  own  supply  of  milk,  the  mother  does  it 

for  it, that  is  to  say,  while  the  little  one  is  simply  clinging  to  the  nipple  and 

unable  to  do  anything  else,  the  parent  injects  the  milk  into  its  tiny  mouth." 

"  It  seems  to  me,"  said  Bob,  "  that  that  would  interfere  with  its  breathing." 

"  So  it  would,  except  for  an  astonishing  provision  of  nature.  Since  the  mother 
cannot  know  when  the  little  one  is  trying  to  draw  sustenance,  and  is,  therefore, 
unable  to  time  her  injection  with  that  effort,  nature  has  arranged  the  air  passages 
of  the  foetus  so  that  it  can  breathe  and  imbibe  at  the  same  time." 

"  How  long  does  the  young  one  stay  in  the  pouch  ?  " 

"  At  the  end  of  eight  months  it  begins  to  peep  out  its  head  to  see  what  the 
world  looks  like.  Now  and  then  it  crops  the  grass,  at  the  same  time  that  the  mother 
is  grazing,  and  by  and  by  hops  out  upon  the  ground,  ready,  however,  at  any  instant 
to  rush  back  to  its  refuge. 

"  It  relies  upon  the  mother  for  shelter  and  supplies,  until  it  weighs  nearly  a 
dozen  pounds.  Occasionally  it  thrusts  its  head  into  the  pouch  for  its  lacteal  fluid, 
even  though  another  foetus  may  be  inside  clinging  to  the  second  nipple." 

"  How  does  the  kangaroo  rank  as  to  intelligence  ?  "  asked  Dick. 

"  All  marsupiated  animals,  as  you  may  know,  stand  at  the  bottom  grade  as 
respects  intelligence.  They  seem  to  be  incapable  of  forming  friendships,  and  will 
recognize  their  attendant  no  more  than  a  stranger.  They  hardly  ever  utter  a  sound, 
though  I  have  heard  a  muttering  growl  now  and  then  from  one  of  them.  But  the 
giraffe  is  silent  even  in  its  death  agonies. 

"  I  believe  kangaroos  are  found  in  a  few  other  places  besides  Australia. 

"There  are  plenty  in  New  Guinea,  where  Jack  saw  them,  and  in  Tasmania  and 
the  adjacent  islands,  fully  sixty  species  being  known.  The  great  kangaroo  was  dis- 
covered in  1770,  during  Captain  Cook's  first  voyage,  while  passing  on  the  coast  of 
New  South  Wales  to  repair  his  ship." 

"How  big  is  he?" 

"  A  full-grown  male  measures  between  five  and  six  feet,  from  the  tip  of  the  nose 
to  the  root  of  the  tail,  the  female  being  considerably  less.  When  in  full  flight,  they 
will  jump  fifteen  or  eighteen  feet,  their  bodies  and  tails  being  outstretched,  the 
latter  serving  as  a  balance.  Its  fore  legs  are  so  short  that  they  are  useless  for  trav- 
eling, but  mighty  convenient  for  digging." 

"  Those  that  you  are  talking  about,"  said  Jack  Harvey,  "  I  believe  are  the  largest 
kind." 

"  Yes;  the  macropus  giganteus  heads  them  all  as  respects  size.  Mr.  Barnum 
was  always  interested  in  them,  and  has  six  now  in  his  menagerie.  Then  there  is 
the  antelope  kangaroo,  with  short  fur,  and  stiff  hairs,  found  in  North  Australia,  the 
brush  kangaroo,  so  plentiful  over  all  Australia  that  thousands  of  its  skins  used  to 
be  sold  at  a  trifling  price;  the  yellow-legged  kangaroo,  often  met  in  South  Australia, 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


201 


and  entirely  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  and  the  two  species  of  the  tree  kangaroo, 
natives  of  New  Guinea.  Their  fore  legs  are  almost  the  size  of  the  hind  ones,  and 
are  furnished  with  powerful  curved  claws,  which  make  climbing  easy.  They  have 
very  long  tails  and  coarse  hair." 

"What  is  meant  by  Le  Brun's  kangaroo?"  asked  Dick  Brownell. 

"It  is  the  animal  which  Le  Brun  observed  in   1711,  and  was  the  first  of  the 


THE  BADGER. 

family  with  which  naturalists  became  acquainted.  Le  Brun  saw  it  in  captivity 
at  Batavia.  Its  tail  is  shorter  than  its  body,  is  thick,  ringed  with  scales  and 
naked  toward  the  apex.  It  is  not  nocturnal,  and  is  found  in  New  Guinea  and  the 
Aru  Islands." 

"What  about  the  lunulated  kangaroo?" 

"  I  consider  that  the  prettiest  of  all.  It  is  only  about  two  feet  high;  is  slender 
and  graceful,  with  short  fur,  very  prettily  marked.  Then  there  are  the  hare  kan- 


202 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


garoos,  of  small  size,  in  Southern  Australia,  while  the  Tasmanian  rat  kangaroo  is 
more  diminutive,  but  a  hardly  less  interesting  animal." 

"I  believe  the  badger  is  an  Australian  bird,"  said  Jack,  who  felt  more  interest 
in  the  conversation  than  he  was  willing  to  admit. 

"  The  Indian  badger  is  met  with  in  Assam  and  Arakan ;  the  common  badger  is 
found  in  the  British  Islands;  the  American  badger  in  the  western  part  of  our  own 
country,  but  the  Australian  badger,  or  wombat,  is  very  different  from  any  of  them. 
He  has  a  heavy  body  and  short  legs,  and  waddles  along  like  a  fat  bear.  You  will 
find  him  in  almost  every  part  of  Australia.  He  keeps  out  of  sight  during  the  day, 
burrowing  so  deep  that  few  natives  have  the  patience  to  dig  him  out." 


ELEPHANT  SHREW  MOUSE. 

"I  judge  the  kangaroo  rat  to  belong,  also,  to  the  same  country,"  said  Dick 
Brownell. 

"  He  is  very  plentiful  in  New  South  Wales,  but  he  is  small,  his  head  and  body 
being  only  fifteen  inches  long,  with  the  tail  about  two-thirds  as  much,  and  is  covered 
with  scales,  with  a  few  stiff  hairs  forcing  their  way  through,  here  and  there." 

"  What  is  the  gerboa  ?  " 

"  He  belongs  to  this  part  of  the  world,  upon  the  sides  of  the  mountains,  where 
he  lives  in  burrows  that  he  tunnels  for  himself  in  the  ground.  In  many  places  you 
will  find  the  earth  honeycombed.  They  hardly  ever  leave  their  tunnels  until  after 
sunset.  The  natives  are  fond  of  their  flesh,  and  secure  them  by  drawing  them  out 
of  their  holes." 

"  Is  the  elephant  mouse  so  called  on  account  of  his  size  ?  " 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


203 


"  Rather  on  account  of  his  trunk-like  nose.  We  shall  probably  see  some  of  them 
in  this  part  of  the  world,  though  they  are  found  as  far  north  as  the  Zambesi  and 
Mozambique." 

"Australia  has  one  creature,"  said  Dick,  "which  has  awakened  more  interest 
than  anything  else  :  that  is  the  duck-bill,  or  ornithorhynchus." 

"  It  belongs  there  or  in  Van  Dieman's  Land,  and  is  known  as  the  mullingong, 
or  platypus.  It  is  less  than  two  feet  long,  and  is  an  aquatic  and  burrowing  animal. 
It  has  a  broad,  flat  bill,  thick,  soft  fur  and  webbed  feet.  It  can  use  its  fore  feet 


THE  KANGAROO  MOUSE. 


equally  well  for  digging  or  swimming,  and  in  digging  it  employs  its  bill  as  well  as 
its  feet.  The  males  are  furnished  with  a  flexible  spur  for  their  hind  feet,  which  can 
be  folded  up  so  that  it  is  out  of  sight." 

"Since  Australia  is  the  land  of  the  kangaroo,"  suggested  Bob,  "I  suppose  you 
had  some  adventures  with  those  animals  ?  " 

"  Plenty  of  them,  though  none  was  so  stirring  as  my  experiences  in  India  and 
this  part  of  the  world.  Kangaroo  hunting  is  a  favorite  amusement  of  the  colonists 
and  natives.  The  latter  make  use  of  the  boomerang,  to  which  Pongo  is  so  partial, 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


and  they  tnrow  it  with  the  skill  he  shows.  Sometimes  they  surround  a  herd  of  the 
animals,  drive  them  together,  and  then  make  a  rush  upon  them  with  clubs  and 
spears.  But  the  right  way  is  to  hunt  on  horseback,  with  trained  dogs,  in  regular 
fox-hunt  style. 

"  It  happened  that  I  was  alone,  when  my  two  hounds  started  a  large  male,  which 
went  bounding  over  the  grassy  plain  with  amazing  speed.     His  course  led  toward 


THE  DUCK-BILL  OR  ORNITHORHYNCHUS. 

a  stretch  of  open  woods,  where  he  was  so  hindered  that  the  dogs  caught  up  with 
him.  What  did  the  animal  then  do  but  turn  at  bay  on  the  edge  of  a  large  stream, 
seize  the  first  dog  that  came  within  reach,  and,  pushing  him  under  the  water,  hold 
him  there  till  he  was  drowned  ? 

"  Flinging  him  aside,  he  then  jumped  for  the  other,  which  kept  out  of  his  way 
for  awhile.  The  dog  might  have  dodged  the  kangaroo  altogether,  but  he  was  too 
plucky  for  his  own  good,  and,  leaping  at  the  throat  of  the  game,  was  caught,  like 


EMU. 


BEARS    AND    KANGAROOS. 


his  predecessor,  in  those  short  arms,  and  ripped  to 
shreds  by  the   hind  legs,  that  are  provided    with 
>     claws  as  effective  as  bowie-knives. 

"I  was  somewhat  bewildered  by  the  sounds  of  my 
dogs,  not  feeling  sure   what   they  meant.     I   supposed 
they  were  able  to  take  care  of  themselves,  but  thought 
it  prudent  to  hurry  and  learn  how  they  were  making  out. 
"  I  dismounted,  and  had  penetrated  only  a  short  dis- 
tance in  the  timber,  when,  to  my  surprise,  I  caught  sight 
of  the  kangaroo,  who  was  returning  over  his  own  trail, 
by  a  series  of  moderate  jumps.     I  stopped  short,  and  he 
did  not  see  me  until  within  a  couple  of  rods.     Then, 
instead  of  turning  aside,  as  I  expected  him  to  do, 
he  put  on  more  steam  and  came  directly  for  me, 
making  a  tremendous  bound  that  carried  him  over 
my  head.     I  was  so  startled   that   he  came  near 
escaping  altogether,  but  I  dropped  him  just  before 
he  reached  the  open  plain.     I  might  have  spared 
him,  if  I  hadn't  been  so  angry  over  the  loss  of  my 
dogs. 

"  Some  time  later  I  shot  the  female,  who  had  two 
vigorous,  partly  grown  young  ones,  which  I  sent  to 
Mr.  Barnum.     They  grew  into  fine  large  fellows, 
which  traveled  thousands  of  miles  over  the  country 
A  LEAP  FOR  THE  CHAMPIONSHIP,  with  him." 

The  emu  is  another  interesting  curiosity  whose 

home  is  in  Central  Australia.  It  is  very  fleet  of  foot  and  resembles  the  ostrich  in 
many  respects.  The  dogs  which  are  trained  to  hunt  it,  wait  until  it  is  exhausted 
before  attacking,  when  they  spring  at  its  throat,  thus  avoiding  its  dreaded  kicks, 
which  are  delivered  sideways  and  backwards,  instead  of  forward,  as  is  the  case 
with  the  ostrich. 

The  height  of  the  emu  sometimes  exceeds  six  feet  and  it  is  a  good  swimmer. 
It  is  hunted  so  persistently  that  it  is  dying  off  rapidly,  and  in  a  few  years  will  prob- 
ably be  extinct,  like  the  famed  dodo,  and  also  the  bison  of  our  own  country. 

The  fierce  native  dogs  of  Australia,  known  as  dingoes,  follow  the  same  method 
as  the  trained  dogs  in  running  down  the  emu,  which  fights  them  in  vain. 


CHAPTER  XXXV. 

A    THIEF    OF    THE    NIGHT. 

African  night  wore  on.     Its  mildness  was  such  that  there  was  no  need  oi 
protection,  nor  of  the  fire  that  had  been  kindled  for  cooking  purposes  and 
kept  going  because  of  the  cheerful  appearance  it  gave  to  everything. 
So  long  as  it  blazed  and  crackled,  the  friends  could  see  each  others'  faces, 
and  you  who  have  not  been  similarly  placed  cannot  realize  the  pleasure  of  meet- 
ing the  kindly  countenance  of  a  friend  whenever  you  turn  your  eyes  in  a  certain 
direction. 

The  moon  had  grown  to  proportions  that  afforded  considerable  light,  so  much 
so,  indeed,  that  the  hunters  felt  safe  from  the  lions  that  would  have  been  on  hand 
except  for  the  orb  of  night. 

But  a  single  fire  was  burning,  and  that  did  not  throw  out  a  strong  area  of  illu- 
mination. Horses,  cattle  and  goats  had  been  gathered  in  secure  quarters,  and 
everything  made  snug  for  the  night.  There  was  some  apprehension  that  the  cap- 
tured animals  in  the  stockade  might  be  looked  upon  as  legitimate  prey  by  prowl- 
ing wild  beasts,  but  in  such  an  event,  before  the  marauders  could  tear  down  the 
stakes,  the  prisoners  would  be  sure  to  give  notice  of  their  danger,  and  the  defenders 
could  rally  to  their  defense. 

Orak  was  recovering  so  rapidly  that  he  insisted  on  keeping  company  with  his 
friends  and  in  taking  his  part  as  sentinel.  His  comrades  did  not  object,  for,  as  you 
will  see,  it  produced  a  slight  but  perceptible  lightening  of  their  own  labors. 

It  fell  to  the  duty  of  Jack  Harvey  and  Mr.  Godkin  to  keep  guard  the  first  half 
of  the  night,  with  the  two  natives,  Wart  and  Adz,  as  their  assistants.  They  com- 
pelled the  latter  to  keep  moving  about,  so  as  to  prevent  themselves  falling  asleep, 
but  the  Americans  were  confident  of  their  own  ability  to  keep  awake  while  sitting 
by  the  fire,  smoking  their  pipes. 

Bob  and  Dick  became  so  drowsy,  despite  their  interest  in  the  narratives  of  Jack 
Harvey  and  Mr.  Godkin,  that  they  bade  them  good  evening  and  retired. 

You  would  think  that  the  experiences  they  had  gone  through  during  the  day 
would  have  kept  them  awake.  So  they  would,  had  that  been  their  first  night  in  the 
African  wilderness,  but  you  know  how  readily  we  can  become  used  to  any  danger. 
Soldiers  will  lie  down  and  slumber  on  the  battle-field,  though  not  until  they  have 
become  accustomed,  in  some  degree,  to  its  horrors. 

And  thus  it  was  that  Bob  Marshall  and  Dick  Brownell,  after  a  prayer  of  thank- 
fulness to  God  for  his  mercies,  and  a  plea  for  the  continuance  of  them  to  themselvei 
and  their  friends  on  the  other  side  of  the  world,  sank  into  a  slumber  as  sweet  and 
refreshing  as  any  they  had  ever  known  in  childhood  at  home. 

207 


208 


A    THIEF    OF    THE    NIGHT. 


Both  the  youngsters  assured  me  they  never  once  dreamed  about  the  enormous 
boa-constrictor  they  had  taken  part  in  shooting,  nor  indeed  could  they  recall  that 
their  rest  was  disturbed  by  any  visions  at  alM- 

"Carl,"  said  the  Texan,  when  the  two  were  entirely  alone,  "I  want  to  come  to 
an  understanding  with  you  on  one  point." 

"  It  shall  not  be  my  fault  if  we  do  not." 

"  You  know  the  boys  have  set  their  hearts  on  making  a  visit  to  the  Gaboon 
country,  for  chimpanzees  and  gorillas." 


MEN  HUNTING  THE  EMU. 

"  There  can't  be  and  doubt  of  their  wishes  on  that  point,  nor,"  added  the  director, 
"of  yours." 

"  Well,  I'm  free  to  say  that  I  feel  a  good  deal  as  they  do;  what  I  want  to  know, 
is  what  you  think  about  it,  for  it  is  yours  to  decide." 

"  If  we  are  as  fortunate  as  I  hope  to  be,  I  shall  arrange  to  go  upon  a  gorilla 
hunt." 

"  How  will  you  fix  it  ?  " 

"Well,  after  we  have  captured  all  that  we  can  get  in  this  part  of  the  world,  I'll 
start  the  train  for  Port  Natal." 

"  Will  all  of  us  go  with  it  ?  " 


A   THIEF   OF   THE    NIGHT.  2Og 

"  That's  a  point  on  which  I  haven't  fully  made  up  my  mind,  and  I'll  be  glad  to 
hear  your  views.  Will  it  be  prudent  for  me  to  turn  the  train  over  to  the  charge, 
say  of  Pongo,  while  you,  I  and  the  boys  push  for  the  western  coast  to  take  ship  to 
Loango  ?  " 

This  was  the  first  time  Mr.  Godkin  had  given  an  intimation  of  the  plan  he  had 
in  mind,  though  it  had  been  suspected  by  his  friends. 

"As  near  as  I  can  judge,"  replied  the  Texan,  "we're  about  a  thousand  miles 
from  the  Atlantic." 

"  It  is  not  as  far  as  that  —  say,  some  seven  or  eight  hundred  miles." 

"  Then  what  is  the  distance  to  Port  Natal  ?  " 

"  Nearly  twice  as  far." 

"I  hardly  thought  it  stood  that  way,"  remarked  Jack,  as  if  musing  with  himself. 

"You  had  a  proposition  in  your  mind  :  let  me  hear  it." 

"  I  was  about  sayin'  that  if  there  wasn't  much  difference  'atween  the  roads  to 
the  Atlantic  and  the  Indian  Ocean,  why  not  all  go  back  together  to  Port  Natal,  see 
the  animals  safe  on  board  ship,  and  then  take  Pongo  and  Diedrick,  if  you  thought 
best,  with  us,  and  sail  from  Port  Natal  for  Loango  ?  " 

"  I  am  inclined  to  think  we  will  do  that  even  as  it  is  —  the  only  objection  is  the 
great  time  it  will  consume.  We  could  strike  the  highlands  of  Great  Namaqua 
Land,  and  reach  the  coast  long  before  the  train  would  arrive  at  Natal." 

"  Why  not  continue  to  the  westward  with  the  train  itself,  and  ship  our  animals 
from  an  Atlantic  port  ?  " 

"  I  would  like  to  do  so,  but  there  are  grave  objections.  In  the  first  place,  my 
knowledge  of  Great  Namaqua  Land  is  to  the  effect  that  it  is  very  rough  and  moun- 
tainous, especially  that  portion  directly  west  of  us.  The  great  Orange  River  receives 
one  of  its  chief  tributaries  from  the  mountainous  region  of  Upper  Great  Namaqua 
Land;  the  country  abounds  with  wild  men,  and,  I  am  afraid,  many  parts  are  impas- 
sable for  wagon  trains." 

"  It  can't  be  worse  than  the  portion  of  the  Transvaal  through  which  we  worked 
our  way.  We  hadn't  got  fairly  into  Petermaritzburg  when  we  were  among  the 
Drakenberg  Mountains.  We  met  little  else  till  we  struck  Bechuana  Land,  and 
weVe  found  plenty  of  them  here." 

"  It  is  true  we  have  had  a  rough  time  of  it,  though  we  got  through  with  good 
fortune,  but  the  country,  bad  as  it  is,  is  more  favorable  for  traveling  than  that  to  the 
westward.  There  is  another  objection,  almost  equally  serious,"  added  the  director. 

"  What's  that  ?  " 

"  No  matter  what  point  we  might  strike  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  it  would  not  be 
half  so  advantageous  as  Port  Natal.  I  have  shipped  animals  —  as  have  others  — 
from  there  many  times.  Plenty  of  vessels  are  always  at  the  place,  and  no  difficulty 
will  be  encountered  in  sending  off  our  curiosities.  But  it  is  all  the  other  way  on 
the  western  shore.  I  know  of  no  ports  between  Cape  Town  and  Benguela,  or 
Angol,  where  we  can  count  upon  obtaining  ship,  though  it  might  be  that  a  small 
party  could  secure  passage  northward." 


2IO  A   THIEF    OF    THE    NIGHT. 

"You  mean  to  say,  then,",  said  Jack,  "that  if  four  or  five  of  us  should  head 
westward,  we  are  likely  to  reach  the  Atlantic,  obtain  ship  to  the  north,  and  save 
weeks  and  months  of  time  ?  " 

"That  is  my  view,  but  I  have  already  named  the  greatest  objection  to  that 
course.  We  have  secured  a  lot  of-  valuable  prizes  for  whose  care  I  am  responsible, 
and,  if  I  turn  them  over  to  a  party  of  natives,  and  calamity  should  befall  them,  Mr. 
Barnum  would  never  excuse  me.  No,"  said  the  director,  with  a  compression  of  his 
lips,  "  it  will  never  do." 

"  You're  right,"  added  the  Texan,  decisively;  "  we  will  see  the  train  safe  out  of 
the  woods,  or,  at  least,  do  all  we  can  to  see  it  out,  and  then  we'll  look  into  the 
gorilla  business." 

I  may  say  that  I  was  surprised  to  learn  from  Mr.  Godkin  that  there  had  ever 
been  any  question  in  his  mind  as  to  the  proper  course  for  him  to  pursue.  Having 
reached  a  decision,  he  himself  wondered  that  he  had  ever  wavered  on  the  point.  I 
suspect  that  his  strong  desire  to  gratify  the  wishes  of  his  young  friends  interfered, 
to  a  slight  extent,  with  his  natural  level-headedness  in  such  matters;  for  I  trust  I 
have  told  you  enough  to  make  clear  his  coolness  and  good  sense  in  such  crises  as 
he  was  continually  meeting. 

It  was  not  yet  midnight  when  the  director  announced  his  conclusion  in  such 
emphatic  language.  He  and  Jack  refilled  their  pipes,  and  smoked  as  though  they 
would  never  tire.  Wart  and  Adz,  the  natives,  were  dimly  seen  in  the  faint  light  of 
the  fire  and  moon,  as  they  plodded  back  and  forth  on  the  edge  of  the  camp. 

They  did  not  encircle  it  in  their  tramping,  as  they  should  have  done,  but  their 
beat  covered  a  small  space  at  the  side  and  a  few  yards  from  where  the  white  men 
sat  discussing  the  future  movements  of  the  expedition. 

The  fire  had  smoldered  so  low  that  the  two  could  hardly  see  each  other's  faces. 
Mr.  Godkin  stepped  forward  and  stirred  the  wood  with  his  foot,  so  that  it  broke 
forth  into  a  large,  crackling  blaze.  There  was  plenty  of  wood  within  reach,  and  he 
flung  a  lot  on  the  flames. 

"We  don't  need  it,"  he  said,  resuming  his  seat  on  the  other  side,  and  facing 
the  Texan,  "  but  it  is  so  cheerful  that  I  prefer  to  keep  it  going.  I  wonder  what 
time  it  is." 

He  drew  out  his  watch  to  answer  his  own  question,  and  found  that  midnight 
was  but  half  an  hour  distant. 

Once  more  he  settled  back,  but,  before  he  could  add  anything  to  what  he  had 
just  said,  Jack  Harvey  spoke  in  the  most  matter-of-fact  tone: 

"Don't  stir;  there's  a  wild  man  right  behind  you;  I'll  attend  to  him." 

"What  do  you  mean  to  do  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Godkin,  with  the  same  coolness,  as  he 
deliberately  puffed  his  pipe. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

AS    IN    THE    OLDEN    DAYS. 

MEAN  to  steal  round  behind  him  and  try  the  lasso." 

"Then  I    think   I'd  better   take  my  seat   by  you,  so  that   I'll  face  him, 
instead  of  having  my  back  toward  him:  I'd  like  to  have  a  chance,  too,  to 
see  the  fun." 

"  Be  careful  that  you  don't  scare  him  away." 

"  I'll  look  out  for  that." 

No  one  would  have  supposed  from  viewing  the  two  men,  and  overhearing,  with- 
out understanding  their  words,  that  there  had  been  the  least  change  in  the  subject 
of  their  conversation.  Both  were  smoking,  and  the  murmur  of  their  voices  sounded 
the  same  as  before  in  the  ears  of  the  native  guards. 

The  latter  were  walking  back  and  forth  on  the  side  of  the  camp  opposite  the 
wild  man,  who  was  so  cautious  in  his  movements  that  there  was  no  fear  of  his  being 
discovered  by  either  of  the  other  sentinels. 

It  was  at  the  moment  that  the  fire  flamed  up  so  high,  under  the  stirring  given  it 
by  Mr.  Godkin,  that  the  keen-eyed  Texan  caught  the  outlines  of  a  head  and  shoul- 
ders as  they  dropped  down  in  the  shadow  behind  the  director. 

The  single  glimpse  was  enough  to  explain  the  nature  of  what  he  saw.  It  was 
evident  that  the  wild  man  was  reconnoitering,  or,  more  likely,  seeking  a  position 
close  enough  to  allow  him  to  hurl  his  spear,  or  discharge  his  bow  and  arrow,  and 
then  make  off  before  he  was  seen. 

Mr.  Godkin  sauntered  to  the  other  side  of  the  fire,  and  sat  down  on  the  ground 
beside  Jack  Harvey. 

"  How  many  are  there  ?  "  asked  the  elder. 

"  I  saw  only  one,  but  there's  no  telling  how  many  others  are  sneaking  about  in 
the  darkness." 

A 

"  There  can't  be  many,  or  Wart  and  Adz  would  have  learned  it.  How  are  you 
going  to  work  it  ?  " 

"  I  mean  to  steal  behind  the  chap  and  nab  him." 

"  I  don't  believe  you  will  succeed,  but  go  ahead;  we'll  have  some  sport,  anyway." 

"  I'll  leave  my  gun  here,"  said  Jack,  laying  down  his  pipe  and  the  weapon,  "  for 
I  want  the  free  use  of  my  arms,  and  I'll  take  along  the  lasso." 

"  You  may  need  the  free  use  of  your  rifle,"  suggested  Mr.  Godkin,  "  and  you  had 
better  do  as  you  are  accustomed  to  when  on  horseback." 

The  Texan,  however,  moved  off  without  his  chief  weapon.  If  he  ran  into  any 
trouble,  he  had  his  revolvers,  while  he  was  close  enough  to  friends  to  call  them  to 
his  help. 

an 


312  AS    IN    THE    OLDEN    DAYS. 

No  one  could  have  understood  better  than  he  the  care  necessary  in  leaving  the 
vicinity  of  the  camp  fire.  No  doubt  the  wild  man  had  his  eyes  fixed  upon  him,  and 
any  movement  would  be  watched  with  suspicious  eyes. 

Jack  Harvey,  therefore,  sauntered  off  as  though  he  had  no  purpose  other  than 
to  stretch  his  limbs.  His  course  led  straight  away  from  the  interloper,  and  conse- 
quently took  him  across  the  beat  of  the  native  sentinels. 

They  looked  at  him  as  he  approached,  doubtless  wondering  what  he  wanted. 
Since  neither  could  speak  English,  conversation  was  out  of  the  question,  except  in 
the  most  disjointed  way. 

Still,  Jack's  purpose  was  to  make  the  wild  man  believe  he  wished  simply  to  say 
something  to  the  sentinels,  and  he,  therefore,  paused  and  uttered  a  few  words,  to 
which  the  others  made  the  best  replies  they  could,  which  were  not  much. 

Into  the  gloom  beyond,  the  Texan  strolled,  gradually  circling  toward  the  river, 
until  he  entered  the  tall  grass  that  had  been  the  cause  of  so  much  misgiving  on  the 
part  of  all. 

Had  the  wild  man  undertaken  to  follow  him,  he  could  have  done  so  without  de- 
tection, since  he  appeared  at  a  point  between  the  camp  fire  and  the  edge  of  the  tail 
weeds,  and  was  on  the  ground  where  it  was  almost  impossible  to  see  him.  On  the 
other  hand,  Jack  was  erect,  and  the  act  of  stooping  was  likely  to  awaken  suspicion. 

But  the  gentleman  from  Texas  reasoned  that  there  is  considerable  difference 
between  a  native  African  and  an  American  Indian. 

Had  he  taken  the  course  I  have  described  in  the  presence  of  an  Apache  or 
Comanche  scout,  the  redskin  would  not  have  been  deceived  for  an  instant. 

The  question  which  bothered  the  Texan  was,  whether  there  was  one  or  a  dozen 
wild  men.  If  the  latter,  the  case  was  serious,  for  they  might  launch  a  shower  of 
poisoned  arrows  or  javelins  into  camp  at  any  moment,  while,  if  there  was  but  a  single 
person,  he  was  likely  to  maneuver  a  longer  time  before  making  any  demonstration. 

Though  he  could  not  be  sure  he  had  removed  all  misgiving  the  intruder  may 
have  felt  on  witnessing  his  movements,  Jack  was  so  certain  such  was  the  fact,  that 
he  acted  on  it  without  hesitation. 

Not  until  he  was  fairly  in  the  tall  grass  did  the  cowboy  feel  the  confidence  he 
showed  on  his  Indian  campaigns.  Finding  himself  in  "  cover "  similar  to  that 
which  had  often  served  him  so  well  in  his  own  country,  he  made  no  mistake. 

He  now  stole  through  this  grass  in  a  stooping  posture,  with  the  purpose  of 
getting  behind  the  stranger  and  bringing  him  in  a  direct  line  with  Mr.  Godkin. 

That  point  gained,  he  would  creep  upon  the  savage,  who  would  have  to  be  an 
amazingly  spry  fellow  to  escape  him. 

You  will  perceive  that  the  Texan  was  acting  on  the  theory  that  he  had  but  one 
enemy  in  front  of  him  :  should  there  prove  to  be  more,  his  plan  of  campaign  must 
undergo  modification. 

No  serpent  could  have  moved  through  the  weeds  with  less  noise  than  he.  He 
might  have  passed  within  arm's  length  of  a  watchful  redskin  without  betraying 
himself. 


AS    IN    THE    OLDEN    DAYS. 


313 


"I  guess  this  is  about  the 
spot,"  thought  Jack,  slowly  rais- 
ing his  head  above  the  grass,  so 
as  to  get  his  bearings ;  "  if  that 
darkey  had  half  the  brains  of  an 
injin,  he  would  have  tumbled 
before  this,  but  there  ain't  any- 
thing decent  in  this  country, 
compared  with  ours." 

Jack  ought  not  to  have  forgotten  that  the  little  enter- 
prise on  which  he  had  started  was  not  yet  concluded. 

It  was  an  easy  matter  for  him  to  reach  the  edge  of  the 
grass  without  detection  from  any  one.  There  he  paused, 
with  a  space  of  perhaps  a  hundred  yards  between  him  and  „  THE  OUTLINES  OF  A  MAN'S 
the  camp-fire  that  he  had  left  some  time  before.  Most  ol  HEAD  AND  SHOULDERS 
this  had  been  grown  over  with  the  grass  that  was  cut  off  ROSE  SLOWLY  TO  VIEW." 
as  a  matter  of  precaution,  and  somewhere  on  this  space, 

he  was  convinced,  the  native  was  crouching,  with  his  baleful  eyes  fixed  on  the  white 
man,  who,  he  little  dreamed,  knew  of  his  whereabouts. 

Jack  found  the  intervening  plain  shrouded  in  more  gloom  than  he  had  antici- 
pated. Over  most  of  it  the  unaided  eye  could  not  have  detected  any  person  unless 
he  stood  on  his  feet,  so  as  to  be  thrown  into  relief  against  the  light  of  the  camp  fire. 

It  may  have  been  that  Mr.  Godkin,  who  could  be  plainly  seen  by  the  Texan, 
suspected  his  embarrassment,  for  while  the  latter  lingered  on  the  edge  of  the  open 
space,  he  saw  him  rise  to  his  feet,  fling  more  wood  on  the.  fire,  and  stir  it. 

"  Good  for  him  ! "  muttered  the  pleased  scout ;  "  he  knows  just  what  I  want, 
and  he  done  it  for  me." 

The  increased  illumination,  however,  did  not  light  up  every  portion  of  the  little 
plain,  and  the  keen  eyes  of  the  Texan,  roaming  over  the  ground,  failed  to  locate  his 
man. 

"  I  wonder  if  he's  lost,"  thought  Jack,  "  or  has  he  smelt  a  mouse  and  dusted  out 
afore  I  could  give  him  a  boost.  Ah  —  " 

In  the  gloom  between  him  and  the  camp,  the  outlines  of  a  man's  head  and 
shoulders  rose  slowly  to  view. 

Jack  had  located  his  fellow  at  last. 

"Yes,  he's  there,"  he  chuckled,  "and  the  band  will  begin  to  play  mighty  soon." 

The  savage  was  crouching  at  a  point  about  two-thirds  of  the  way  between  the 
scout  and  the  fire.  This  showed  he  was  moving  forward  and  did  not  suspect  the 
meaning  of  the  white  man's  movement. 

Jack  felt  a  tinge  of  alarm  as  he  realized  that  the  savage  was  so  near  Mr.  Godkin 
that  he  could  easily  have  launched  a  poisoned  missile  before  the  gentleman  could 
get  out  of  range. 

Should  he  make  the  attempt,  Jack  was  without  his  rifle  to  anticipate  him ;  but 


214 


AS  IN  THE  OLDEN  DAYS. 


his  revolvers  were  at  command,  and  he  reflected  that  he  had  learned  to  use  them 
with  considerable  promptness  in  an  emergency. 

The  question  whether  there  was  one  or  more  savages  had  not  yet  been  solved, 
and  it  was  that  which  chiefly  occupied  Jack  as  he  began  creeping  toward  the 
camp-fire. 

Once  free  of  the  grass,  he  crouched  lower  than  the  native  in  front  of  him.  The 
Texan  had  discovered  in  his  Indian  campaigns  how  to  move  silently  over  the 
ground,  with  his  chin  but  a  few  inches  from  it.  By  this  means,  too,  he  brought  his 
man  into  clearer  relief  against  the  yellow  flame  beyond. 

"I'm  satisfied,"  he  concluded,  after  progressing  someway,  "that,  no  matter  how 
many  darkeys  may  be  in  the  neighborhood,  there's  only  one  atween  me  and  Carl, 
and  he's  the  one  I've  got  to  deal  with ;  I'll  'tend  to  the  others  afterward." 

The  savage,  having  shown  himself,  now  sank  down  again  and  became  almost 
invisible.  This  meant  that  he  was  advancing  upon  the  camp.  When  he  straight- 
ened up,  it  was  to  note  his  progress  and  bearings. 

A  few  minutes  later,  the  head  and  shoulders  reappeared,  this  time  so  much 
nearer  the  camp  that  all  doubt  of  the  native's  hostile  purpose  was  removed.  He 
meant  to  slay  Mr.  Godkin,  and  was  steadily  advancing  to  do  so. 

Indeed,  he  was  so  near  that  Jack  was  sure  the  director  must  be  able  to  see  every 
movement,  a  fact  to  which  the  wild  man  was  singularly  blind. 

At  any  rate,  he  had  approached  so  close  that  there  was  no  call  for  him  to  go 
closer,  and  that  such  was  his  own  conclusion  was  proven  by  the  next  step  he  took 


CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

"GOOD-BY,     SWEETHEART." 

''HE  wild  man  rose  higher  than  before,  straightening  up  until  his  body  was 
visible  to  the  waist.  The  act  showed  that  he  was  armed  with  a  javelin  and 
was  gathering  himself  to  throw  it. 

The  fire  was  not  burning  as  brightly  as  before,  though  the  savage  would  not 
have  stood  so  nearly  erect  but  for  the  necessity  of  balancing  himself  to  hurl  his 
missile. 

The  opportunity  must  have  been  a  tempting  one  to  the  African,  for  the  only  two 
sentinels  who  made  a  pretense  of  attending  to  their  duties  were  still  tramping  back 
and  forth  without  suspicion  of  his  presence.  The  white  man  was  sitting  cross- 
legged  on  the  ground,  smoking  his  pipe,  and  apparently  gazing  into  the  fire  in  a 
dreamy  reverie,  though  I  need  hardly  say  that  he  was  giving  far  more  attention  to 
the  sneaking  native  just  then  than  to  anything  else. 

As  he  afterward  said,  it  seemed  to  him  that  Jack  Harvey  was  altogether  too 
deliberate  in  his  movements,  and,  in  fact,  matters  were  getting  into  too  fine  a  shape 
for  him  to  feel  comfortable,  knowing,  as  he  did,  that  the  delay  of  the  skulking  Afri- 
can was  solely  that  he  might  make  his  aim  unerring. 

Strange  that  the  continued  absence  of  the  second  white  man  from  the  camp  had 
not  awakened  the  suspicion  of  the  native. 

Jack  Harvey  allowed  the  scamp  to  raise  the  javelin  over  his  head,  with  his  arm 
drawn  slightly  back,  when  he  let  fly  with  his  rawhide.  The  whirr  of  the  lasso 
alarmed  the  African,  who  quickly  turned.  At  the  sight  of  the  Texan  his  alarm 
became  a  wild  fright,  and  he  dropped  the  javelin  and  ran  at  full  speed.  The 
noose  was  true  to  its  aim,  however,  and  in  less  time  than  it  takes  to  tell  it,  the 
savage  was  ensnared  so  tightly  that  he  almost  strangled. 

The  violent  pull  brought  him  over  on  his  back  with  a  force  that  fairly  made  him 
bounce.  Before  he  could  help  himself,  or  utter  more  than  a  few  gurgling  sounds, 
the  Texan  was  upon  him,  angry  enough  to  crush  his  head  under  his  heel. 

"  You're  a  scamp  from  Scamptown,"  he  exclaimed*  catching  the  bare  arm  and 
jerking  him  to  his  feet;  "  the  best  use  I  can  put  you  to  is  to  practice  on  you  with 
my  revolver." 

The  wretch  was  so  terrified  that  he  could  not  offer  any  resistance.  As  his 
captor  loosened  the  noose  he  would  have  gone  down  in  a  heap  but  for  the  sturdy 
Texan,  who  yanked  him  to  his  feet  as  a  pedagogue  would  handle  a  snarling 
school-boy. 

"Stand  up,  confound  you!"  called  Jack,  giving  his  ears  a  smart  cuff;  "if  you 
don't  know  how  to  walk,  I'll  teach  you." 

215 


"  GOOD-BY,    SWEETHEART." 


The  castigation  frightened  the  fellow  into  obedience,  and  he  trudged  beside  his 
captor  as  meekly  as  a  lamb,  on  the  watch,  however,  for  a  chance  to  dart  off  in  the 
darkness. 

"  Here  he  is,"  said  Jack,  addressing  the  interested  Mr.  Godkin,  who  had  risen 
to  his  feet,  and  come  part  way  to  meet  him;  "  and  don't  you  think  he's  a  beauty  — 
well,  I'll  be  hanged  !  " 

The  Texan  recoiled  in  amazed  indig- 
nation. By  the  light  of  the  camp-fire  he 
recognized  the  native  as 


the  one  he  had  saved 
from  death  by  torture 
that  same  afternoon. 


"  There's 
gratitude  for 
you,"  he  said, 
after  explain- 
ing the  matter 
to  his  friend; 
"  now,  there 
isn't  any  ques- 
tion that  he 
ought  to  be 
knocked  in 
the  head, 
though  I've 
no  doubt  his 
skull  is  so 
thick  that  it'll 
take  a  pile- 
driver  to  crack 
it." 

"I    don't 
see  that  there 
is  any  ingrati- 
tude about  it,"  remarked  Mr.  God- 
kin,  seeking  to  appease  the  wrath 
of  his  friend,  "  for  it  wasn't  /  who 
saved  his  life." 

"  But  you  are  my  friend." 
"  How  could  he  know  that  ?  " 
"But  he    saw  me  sitting  with 
you  when  he  began  crawling  up  to 
camp,  and  I  shouldn't  wonder  if,  after  all,  it  was  me  that  he  was  after,"  added  Jack, 
looking  wrathfully  at  the  shrinking  native. 

Wart  and  Adz  thought  the  situation  warranted  them  in  leaving  their  posts  and 
approaching  the  camp-fire,  and  Wart  became  so  excited  at  what  he  beheld  that  he 
rushed  away  to  arouse  the  sleeping  cousins. 

"The  poor  wretch  is  entitled  to  the  doubt,"  said  Mr.  Godkin  with  a  laugh, 
unable  to  share  the  anger  of  his  friend.  "  Who  kaows  but  that  if  you  had  stayed 


As  IN  THE  OLDEN  TIME. 


"GOOD-BY,    SWEETHEART."  217 

where  you  were,  he  might  have  come  forward  and  offered  his  hand  in  friendship  ?  " 
Jack  Harvey  cast  such  a  scornful  glance  upon  the  director  that  the  latter  came 
near  waking  the  camp  with  his  merry  laughter. 

"  Let  me  look  at  that  spear,"  said  he,  reaching  his  hand  for  the  weapon  which 
lack  had  picked  up  from  the  ground. 

The  director  carefully  examined  it.  The  handle  was  made  of  hard,  smooth 
ttood,  resembling  bamboo.  The  head  was  symmetrical  in  outline  and  secured 
immovably  in  place. 

"These  people  have  some  way  of  obtaining  iron,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  notic- 
ing that  the  head  was  constructed  of  that  metal.  "  It  may  be  they  understand  how 
to  make  it,  or  more  likely  they  get  it  from  the  traders." 

Inspecting  the  point  by  the  light  of  the  fire,  Mr.  Godkin  fancied  he  could  see  a 
yellowish  substance  on  the  end,  though  he  was  by  no  means  certain. 

"  I  know  a  good  way  of  telling  whether  it's  p'isoned,"  said  Jack  Harvey. 

"How?" 

"Give  him  a  jab  with  it;  if  it  don't  kill  him, ;it  isn't  p'isoned,  while,  if  it  does 
kill  him,  you  can  make  up  your  mind  there's  been  some  fooling  with  it." 

Mr.  Godkin  pointed  the  weapon  at  the  naked  breast  of  the  native,  as  if  about  to 
make  the  test  Jack  suggested.  He  expected  the  prisoner  to  shrink  and  show  every 
sign  of  terror,  but  there  was  nothing  of  the  kind.  He  had  been  frightened  from  the 
first,  but  when  the  point  of  his  own  spear  almost  pricked  his  chest,  he  assumed  a 
smile  that  was  childlike  and  bland. 

"Why,  Jack,  you  have  done  the  fellow  an  injustice,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  handing 
the  weapon  to  Wart,  who  had  just  returned  from  a  reconnoiter  of  the  camp,  "  that 
weapon  is  an  honest  one." 

"It  does  look  that  way,"  replied  Jack,  not  fully  satisfied,  however,  that  the 
director's  conclusion  was  correct;  "but,  even  if  the  spear  isn't  loaded,  it  wouldn't 
be  a  pleasant  thing  to  have  run  through  your  body." 

"  Well,  he  is  our  prisoner;  what  shall  we  do  with  him  ?  " 

"Ask  them"  replied  the  Texan,  pointing  to  Wart  and  Adz,  who  were  interested 
spectators  of  the  scene. 

The  question  had  to  be  propounded  in  pantomime,  but  it  was  easy  to  make  the 
native  understand  that  their  opinion  was  wanted  as  to  the  proper  way  to  dispose  of 
their- captive. 

The  answer  of  both  was  unmistakable.  They  favored  the  severest  measures 
toward  the  African,  who  had  been  arrested  in  the  very  act  of  launching  his  weapon 
at  the  director  of  the  enterprise,  for  whom  they  held  a  strong  affection. 

Wart  reached  out  his  hand  for  the  javelin,  and,  gently  touching  the  point  with 
his  finger,  shrank  back  as  though  it  had  given  him  a  distressing  wound. 

"He  believes  it  is  poisoned,"  said  Jack,  with  a  laugh;  "you  can't  fool  him,  for 
he  is  a  native  of  this  country." 

"They  seem  to  think  we  ought  to  punish  the  fellow,  but  I  didn't  agree  to  follow 
their  wishes,  Jack,  I  am  sure  you  would  not  consent  to  slay  the  wretch  in  cold  blood." 


218 


"  GOOD-BY,    SWEETHEART.' 


•"  No,  I  confess  I  wouldn't,  though  I  was  mad  enough  when  I  flung  the  lasso  to 
strangle  him." 

"  You  came  pretty  near  doing  it  as  it  was." 

"We  ain't  in  this  country  to  capture  Africans,"  remarked  the  Texan  thoughtfully, 
"though  the  public  is  anxious  for  anything  worth  seeing  in  that  line.  It  spent  a 
great  deal  in  seeing  the  Siamese  twins  and  the  Sacred  Hairy  Family  of  Birmah." 

"  We  might  exhibit  you  and  this  fellow;  he  as  the  wild  man  of  Bechuana  Land, 
and  you  as  the  one  who  prevented  him  killing  me." 

"  I'm  afraid  the  people  wouldn't  take  much  stock  in  him,  and  as  for  me,  they 
Would  set  me  down  as  a  fraud  right  off." 


THE  TEST. 

"  Well,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  with  another  laugh,  "  I  have  made  up  my  mind  what 
to  do." 

"What's  that?" 

"  I  turn  him  over  to  you  to  do  what  you  please,  without  hindrance  on  my  part." 

The  director  understood  what  he  was  doing.  No  one  knew  the  nature  of  the 
gallant  Texan  better  than  he.  He  had  proven  himself  a  demon  in  more  than  one 
hand-to-hand  encounter  with  the  red  men  of  the  Southwest,  and  in  the  memorable 
campaign  against  those  miscreants,  there  was  no  braver  scout  and  soldier  in  the 
commands  of  Generals  Crook  and  Miles  than  he. 

And  yet  his  was  the  heart  of  a  woman.    No  ear  was  more  open  to  an  appeal 


"GOOD-BY,    SWEETHEART."  2IQ 

for  mercy,  and  his  adventurous  career  had  never  been  stained  by  an  act  that  ought 
to  bring  the  blush  to  his  cheek. 

Mr.  Godkin  believed  Jack's  anger  toward  the  captive  was  partly  assumed,  and 
it  was  without  the  least  misgiving  that  he  surrendered  the  prisoner  to  him  for 
disposal. 

There  was  a  mysterious  smile  on  the  face  of  Jack  as  he  said  :  "All  right ;  let 
me  have  him." 

Wart  and  Adz  recoiled  a  step  or  two,  doubtless  convinced  that  the  wild  man's 
hours  were  numbered,  but  the  cousins,  who,  like  the  director,  knew  Jack  better, 
had  no  such  idea. 

The  javelin  was  retained,  and  I  may  as  well  state  that  the  investigations  after- 
ward made  proved  that  it  was  tipped  with  one  of  the  deadliest  poisons  in  existence. 
Had  Mr.  Godkin  but  pricked  the  wild  man's  skin  with  it,  he  would  have  died  within 
a  few  minutes. 

But  he  was  a  cunning  dog,  and  knew  how  to  help  his  own  cause  by  an  assump- 
tion of  innocence  at  the  critical  moment. 

Taking  him  by  the  arm,  Jack  Harvey  walked  slowly  to  the  edge  of  the  encamp- 
ment, pausing  at  a  point  where  there  was  just  enough  light  from  the  fire  to  reveal 
his  actions. 

His  friends  walked  a  few  steps  after  him,  so  as  not  to  lose  the  sight. 

"  Good-by,  sweetheart!" 

As  the  Texan  uttered  the  words,  the  captive  stood  directly  in  front  of  him. 
Simultaneously  with  the  farewell,  he  delivered  a  kick  which  lifted  the  African  from 
ihe  ground  and  sent  him  half  a  rod  forward. 

As  the  wretch  landed,  he  uttered  a  yell  like  that  which  had  escaped  him  when 
the  native  chieftain  punctured  him  with  his  spear,  and  vanished  in  the  gloom  of 
the  night  at  headlong  speed. 

I  think  Jack  Harvey  did  exactly  right;  at  any  rate,  no  member  of  the  expedition 
ever  saw  the  scamp  again. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 


ALL  through  this  characteristic 
incident,  not  one  of  the  sleepers 
would  have  been  awakened  but  for 
Wart's  excitement. 

It  was  now  considerably  past 
midnight,  and  time  for  a  change 
of  sentinels.  Wart  and  Adz  were 
directed  to  crawl  into  one  of  the 
wagons,  while  Pongo  and  Abdallah 
were  aroused  to  take  their  places. 
Jack  Harvey  and  Mr.  Godkin  gave 
way  to  Bob  and  Dick,  who  had  ex- 
pressed the  wish  that  they  might 
keep  each  other  company. 

As  the  Texan  was  about  to 
creep  into  his  quarters,  he  stopped 


FUNNY    VISITORS. 


221 


a  minute  to  admire  a  small  animal,  which  ran  under  the  wagon  and  vanished  in 
the  darkness.  It  was  beautiful'  and  graceful,  of  a  gray  color,  with  an  admixture 
of  yellow,  and  covered  with  dark  patches,  with  alternate  bands  of  black  and  white 
on  its  tail. 

The  creature  is  the  blotched  genet,  which  has  retractile  claws,  and  is  found  not 
only  in  South  Africa,  but  in  the  southern  part  of  France. 

The  investigation  of  the  Texan  satisfied  him  and  the  director  that  no  other  wild 
men  were  in  the  vicinity,  and  nothing  further  was  said  about  the  exciting  incident 


THE  BLOTCHED  GENET. 

Yihich  had  so  recently  occurred.  The  discussion,  they  thought,  would  keep  until  a 
more  opportune  season. 

The  guards  stationed  themselves  precisely  as  before,  despite  the  resolution  the 
lads  had  previously  formed  that  they  would  insure  wakefulness  by  keeping  in 
motion ;  but,  having  had  several  hours  of  sound  slumber,  and  being  in  one  another's 
company,  there  certainly  was  little  likelihood  of  their  losing  consciousness. 

Pongo  and  Abdallah  paced  back  and  forth  like  professionals,  while  the  boys, 


222 


FUNNY   VISITORS. 


after  stirring  the  fire,  sat  down  in  the  positions  occupied  by  the  two  men  in  the 
earlier  portion  of  the  evening. 

"I  don't  think  we  are  likely  to  have  any  more  disturbance,"  remarked  Bob, 
"  since  everything  appears  to  be  quiet,  however,  it  won't  do  to  take  anything  for 
granted  in  this  country." 

"I've  no  doubt  that  some  of  the  natives  have  had  a  look  at  the  camp,  and 
probably  have  made  up  their  minds  that  we  are  too  well  prepared  to  make  it  pay 
them  to  attack  us." 

"  I  noticed  to-day,"  said  Bob,  "  that  the  raft  which  caused  so  much  alarm  is  still 
lying  against  the  bank,  where  it  caught  fast  the  other  day." 

"  From  what  I  heard  Mr.  Godkin  say,  I  think  he  means  to  use  it  to  take  us  across 
the  river,  so  as  to  hunt  in  a  new  section,  after  we  have  harrowed  over  this  one 
pretty  well." 

"  There  is  plenty  of  game  left.     We  haven't  had  anything  to  do  with  elephants, 
and  I  know  there  are  rhinoceroses  and  hippopotami  not  far  off." 
"  How  can  you  be  sure  of  that  ?" 

"  Pongo  told  me  this  evening  that  he  had  seen  signs  of  both,  and  you  know  he 

isn't  the  fellow  to  make  a  mistake  like  that." 

"The  raft  is  likely,  then,  to  come  into  use, —  at  any 
rate  for  hunting  hippopotami — helloa  !  what's  up?  " 

The  question  was  caused  by  Pongo's  hurried  ap- 
proach, his  manner  showing  that  he  had    made   an 
important  discovery.     Abdallah  remained  at  his  post. 
"What  is  it,  Pongo?"  asked  Bob  Marshall,  half 
rising  to  his  feet. 

"  Something  out  there  in  grass 
—  think  they  wild  men." 

"  If  that's  the  case,"  said  Dick, 
"we  must  wake  Mr.  Godkin  and 
Jack." 

"Ain't  sure,"  added  the  Bush- 
man; "come  see." 

The  boys,  rifles  in  hand,  fol- 
lowed their  guide  to  his  station. 
As  they  did  so,  they  reflected 
that  they  were  exposing  them- 
selves recklessly,  for  the  firelight 
must  have  shown  them  clearly 
to  any  one  looking  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  camp,  while  the  intru- 
ders themselves  were  hidden  in 
gloom. 

The   boys  noticed   that  their 


"SOMETHING  OUT  THERE  IN  THE  GRASS. 


FUNNY    VISITORS. 


223 


guide  led  them  to  the  side  of  the  camp  facing  the  tall  grass  along  the  river, —  the 
place  where  the  single  wild  man  had  appeared  some  time  before,  and  most  likely  to 
be  used  as  a  screen  by  a  party  of  them. 

"  Don't  go  too  far,"  whispered  Bob.  "  for  remember  we  are  in  plain  sight  of  any 
one  in  the  grass." 

Pongo  halted,  and  the  three  stood  peering  into  the  obscurity. 

Everything  seemed  quiet  and  motionless,  not  the  slightest  object  being  in  sight, 
feut  Pongo  was  not  the  one  to  be  misled,  and  the  cousins  were  as  certain  that 
danger  lurked  in  the  vegetation  as  if  they  beheld  it  with  their  own  eyes. 

The  three  had  stood  in  the  attitude  of  intense  attention  but  a  few  minutes,  when 
a  soft  rustling  in  the  grass  proved  that  the  Bushman  was  right;  something  was 
ihere. 

"It  seems  strange,"  whispered  Dick,  "that  the  wild  men  should  betray  them- 
selves like  that." 

"They  haven't  betrayed  themselves  as  much  as  we." 

"But  they  know  —  sh  !  see  there  !  " 

The  slightest  possible  glimpse  was  caught  of  a  head  as  it  rose  above  the  vege- 
tation, instantly  dropping  out  of  sight  again. 

There  was  just  enough  moonlight  to  enable  the  watchers  to  trace  the  outlines, 
which,  dim  as  they  were,  awakened  the  wonder  of  the  three  by  the  fact  that,  instead 
of  being  covered  with  a  huge  mass  of  bushy  hair,  the  head  appeared  to  be  bare 
and  smaller  than  one  of  their  own. 

Before  anything  was  said  about  this  peculiarity,  the  head  popped  up  again,  then 
another  and  another  arose,  until  fully  half  a  dozen  had  come  to  view,  all  going  up 
and  down  like  so  many  jacks-in-the-box. 

What  did  it  mean  ? 

Pongo  was  heard  to  laugh  softly,  and  he  uttered  one  word  which  solved  the 
mystery: 

"Monkeys!" 

A  party  of  the  creatures  appeared  to  have  ventured  out  from  the  adjoining 
jungles,  with  the  intention  of  investigating  the  encampment  that  had  been  near 
them  for  several  days. 

Our  friends  had  seen  hundreds  of  monkeys  since  entering  Bechuana  Land,  but 
gave  them  little  attention,  because  they  considered  it  more  important  to  capture 
other  game.  Monkeys  are  plentiful  in  many  parts  of  the  world  (even  the  poor 
organ-grinders  being  able  to  afford  them),  and  they  can  be  obtained  without  diffi- 
culty. 

For  this  reason,  Mr.  Godkin  decided  that  none  would  be  captured  unless  they 
came  upon  some  rare  specimens. 

"  I  guess  it's  safe  to  go  back  and  sit  down,"  remarked  Dick  Brownell  with  a 
/augh,  as  he  turned  about,  followed  by  his  companions. 

"  1  wonder  what  has  possessed  them  to  pay  us  a  visit  ?  "  said  Bob,  as  they  re- 
sumed their  seats,  Pongo  returning  to  his  station. 


TUNNY   VISITORS. 


"  Mischief ;  the  monkey  is  the  most  mischievous  creature  in  the  world ;  they 
are  looking  for  sport,  and  will  get  it,  if  possible,  before  they  leave." 
"  Look  at  them  !  " 

As  suddenly  as  if  they  had  sprung  from  the  earth,  fully  twenty  of  the  animals 
appeared  at  the  camp-fire.     They  were  on  all  sides  except  that  under  the  immediate 

protection  of  Pongo  and  Abdallah,  and  some 
showed  a  disposition  even  to  crowd  them. 

"They  are  not  monkeys,"  said  Dick,  after 
carefully  studying  them  a  minute  or  two. 
"What  are  they?" 

"Baboons;  notice  how  large  several  of 
them  are.  Their  muzzles  are  elongated 
like  a  dog's,  and  the  hands  and  feet  are 

short,  with    long 
thumbs." 

"They  have 
manes,  too,  and 
their  tails  end  in 
tufts  of  long  hair. 
Yes,  they  are  ba- 
boons, but  there's 
little  difference, 
after  all,  between 
them  and  the  reg- 
ular  style  ol 
monkeys." 

"  There's  a  fun- 
ny-looking one," 
added  Bob. 

His  friend  had 
noticed   the   ani- 
mal   before    his 
attention  was  di- 
rected to  it.     It  was  unusually  large,  and  the 
abundant  mane,  instead  of  being  of  a  plain, 
dark  color,  was  oddly  flecked  with  white,  as 
though  the  creature  was  becoming  gray  in 
spots. 

The  baboons  were  going  through  all  sorts 

of  performances,  hopping  over  each  other,  running  toward  the  fire,  as  if  they  meant 
to  jump  into  it,  skurrying  off  again  into, the  high  grass,  where,  after  being  out  of 
sight  for  a  few  moments,  they  suddenly  shot  into  view  once  more,  and  then,  standing 
still,  some  of  them  indulged  in  the  luxury  of  making  grimaces  at  the  amused  lads. 


A  SLY  THIEF. 


FUNNY   VISITORS. 


225 


Nothing  would  have  been  easier  than  to  have  opened  a  fusillade  on  the  funny 
creatures  that  would  have  quickly  decimated  them  ;  but  nothing,  at  the  same  time, 
would  have  been  more  cruel,  and  the  youths  had  no  idea  of  anything  of  the  kind. 

Pongo  and  Abdallah  scorned  to  pay  attention  to  them.  The  animals  were 
beneath  their  notice,  and  the  sentinels  had  more  important  business  on  hand  than 
to  give  heed  to  them. 

While  the  lads  were  trying  to  obtain  a  better  view  of  the  odd-looking  creature, 
he  vanished,  as  if  conscious  of  the  notice  he  had  attracted  and  anxious  to  escape  it 

"I  wouldn't  mind  capturing  him,  if  we  had  a  chance,"  said  Bob,  peering  about 
in  the  gloom  ;  "  but  he  is  so  big  that  I  suppose  he  would  fight  like  a  wild-cat." 

"  If  we  only  had  Jack's  lasso,  and  knew  how  to  throw  it,  it  would  be  easy  enough 
—  confound  it !  " 

The  youth  made  a  frantic  clutch  at  his  hat,  which  just  then  was  whisked  from 
his  head  as  deftly  as  any  school-boy  ever  performed  the  trick.  Bob  broke  into 
laughter,  for  he  had  seen  the  spotted  baboon  sneaking  up  behind  his  cousin,  and, 
suspecting  his  purpose,  held  his  peace. 

The  look  of  dismay  on  his  companion's  face  caused  even  the  glum  Pongo  to 
smile. 

"  Bring  that  back  ! "  called  Dick,  half  amused  and  half  angry ;  "  that's  the  only 
hat  I've  got,  and  we  have  a  hot  sun  in  this  country." 

The  thief,  on  securing  the  trophy,  had  scampered  off  among  his  companions,  all 
of  whom  now  indulged  in  the  liveliest  of  chattering,  as  if  delighted  with  the  exploit. 

"  How  shall  I  get  that  again  ? "  queried  Dick,  surveying  the  fellow,  who  had 
halted  a  few  steps  away,  as  if  to  invite  him  to  make  the  attempt. 

The  lad  did  not  hesitate,  but  began  cautiously  approaching  the  baboon,  who 
held  his  ground  until  he  was  almost  within  reach.  Then  he  slowly  edged  off. 

Dick  made  a  quick  jump  and  shot  out  his  hand. 

He  came  very  nigh  catching  the  thief,  but  missed  him  by  a  hair's  breadth,  and 
once  more  Bob  and  Pongo  laughed.  Abdallah  may  have  been  amused,  but  he 
failed  to  make  it  manifest. 

"You'll  have  to  run  a  race  with  him,"  remarked  Bob  ;  "I  don't  think  I  would 
feel  very  proud  of  letting  a  baboon  steal  my  hat  —  hold  on  ! " 

Off  went  Bob's  head-gear,  snatched  from  his  possession  by  another  of  the 
animals  as  cleverly  as  the  ftrst  had  performed  the  feat  for  his  cousin. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX. 


"I'VE    GOT   HIM." 

|T  was  Dick's  turn  to  laue:h,  and  you  may  be  sure  he  did  so  with  as  hearty  mirth 
as  he  ever  enjoyed  in  all  his  life. 

Both  boys  were  bareheaded,  with  little  apparent  chance  of  recovering  their 
property. 

"That  beats  everything,"  was  the  rueful  exclamation  of  Bob  Marshall;  •*! 
expected  an  attempt  of  the  kind,  but  was  sure  I  couldn't  be  outwitted." 

"  There's  one  way  we  can  secure  our  hats,"  added  Dick,  who  was  on  the  point  of 
losing  his  temper;  "  and  that  is  to  shoot  the  thieves,  and  I'll  do  it,  too,  if  we  don't 
get  them  pretty  soon." 

"  They  only  mean  it  for  fun,  and  we  won't  shoot  them  unless  we  have  to.  Watch 
me  while  I  go  for  this  fellow." 

The  baboon  that  had  stolen  Bob's  property  was  smaller  than  the  other  thief,  but 
seemed  more  venturesome.  Halting  less  than  a  rod  distant,  the  impudent  fellow 
reached  out  the  trophy,  chattering  and  making  the  funniest  of  grimaces,  as  if  invit- 
ing the  owner  to  try  to  regain  it. 

Bob  imitated  his  cousin's  tactics,  but,  taking  lesson  from  his  failure,  sought  to 
get  closer  before  snatching  it  back  again. 

The  creature  allowed  him  to  come  quite  near,  and,  instead 
of  making  a  quick  grab  at  it,  the  youth  slowly  extended  his 
hand,  in  the  hope  of  throwing  him  off  his  guard. 

But  the  animal  was  not  to  be  deceived 
that  way.  As  the  hand  advanced  that  of 
the  baboon  receded,  and  the  distance  be- 
tween the  two  was  not  diminished. 

Suddenly,  as   Bob   was  on   the  very 
point  of  darting  his  fingers  after  it,  the 
thief  had  the  impudence  to  turn  squarely 
around   and    begin    walking    off,   with   a 
mincing  gait,  glancing  over  his  shoulder 
at  the  discomfited  youngster,   in   a  way 
that  tantalized  him  beyond  endurance. 
"  Take  that,  then  !  " 
Bob  made  one  bound,  axid,  concentrat- 
ing all  his  strength  in  his  righl  leg,  deliv- 
ered a  kick  which,  had  it  landed,  would  have  lifted  the  animal  several  feet  in  air. 
But  the  creature  was  too  nimble  to  permit  the  boot  to  land.     He  hopped  out  of 

226 


A  SECOND  Too  LATE. 


"I'VE    GOT   HIM."  227 

the  way,  and  the  kick  was  so  tremendous  that  Bob's  foot  shot  upward,  lifting  him 
clear  off  the  ground,  and  dropping  him  on  his  back  with  a  resounding  thump. 

Dick  Brownell  sank  down,  so  overcome  with  mirth  that,  for  the  moment,  he 
could  hardly  stand.  ; 

I  am  sorry  to  say  that  Bob  lost  his  temper,  though  1  think  that  you  or  I  would 
have  done  the  same  if  in  his  situation.  He  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  with 
the  intention  of  shooting  the  animal  that  was  having  such  sport  at  his  expense. 

Before  he  could  aim,  however,  Dick  sprang  up,  and,  grasping  the  barrel,  turned 
it  aside.  --,,.- 

" '  They  only  mean  it  for  fun,  and  we  won't  shoot  them  unless  we  have  to,' "  said 
he,  quoting  the  remark  Bob  made  only  a  minute  before. 

"But  this  is  carrying  a  joke  too  far,"  growled  his  cousin;  "how  are  we  going  to 
get  our  hats  without  shooting  the  thieves  ?  And,  if  we  have  got  to  shoot  .them, 
what's  the  use  of  waiting  ?  " 

"  You  have  read  the  story  of  the  trader,  who  went  to  sleep  under  a  tree  with  a 
lot  of  caps  beside  him,  and,  when  he  awoke,  found  that  a  number  of  monkeys  had 
stolen  them  all,  and  were  frolicking  among  the  branches  of  the  trees  overhead." 

"What  did  he  do?" 

"  He  chased  them  till  he  got  mad,  and  then  spitefully  threw  down  the  only  hat 
he  had  left.  The  monkeys  did  the  same,  and  he  got  back  all  his  property."  : 

"  And  you  propose  that  we  try  the  scheme  ?  "  * 

"Yes."  ..,-„..,. 

"  How  can  we  do  it,  when  we  haven't  a  hat  left  ?  " 

"Almost  anything  will  answer.  I'll  fling  down  my  knife  as  though  I  am  dis- 
gusted, which  is  the  fact,  and  may  be  they  will  do  the  same  with  our  hats." 

Drawing  his  large  knife  from  the  belt  at  his  waist,  Dick  slammed  it  on  the 
ground,  while  the  two  watched  to  see  its  effect  on  the  baboons. 

The  spotted  animal  kept  his  distance,  and  made  no  motion  by  way  of  imitating 
the  action.  The  smaller  one,  that  had  removed  Bob's  hat,  ran  nimbly  forward,  as 
if  he  intended  to  lay  the  trophy  at  the  foot  of  Dick. 

Such,  however,  was  not  his  purpose.  He  meant  to  secure  possession  of  the 
knife  also. 

But  he  was  just  a  bit  too  eager.  He  ventured  so  close  that,  before  he  could 
withdraw,  Dick  had  seized  him  by  the  arm. 

The  captive  emitted  a  number  of  sharp  screams,  and  began  biting  and  scratch- 
ing with  such  fierceness  that  Dick  administered  a  couple  of  sound  cuffs  and  allowed 
him  to  scamper  off,  though  not  until  he  had  regained  his  prize. 

The  other  baboons  uttered  similar  cries,  and  danced  about  in  such  excitement 
that  it  looked  as  if  they  were  about  to  attack  the  youth  who  had  laid  violent  hands 
on  one  of  their  number. 

The  quick  release  of  the  captive,  however,  averted  that  unpleasant  turn  of  affairs. 

"  There  '  "  exclaimed  Dick,  catching  up  the  hat  and  throwing  it  toward  his 
cousin,  "  1  got  your  property  for  you,  and  you  ought  to  get  mine  for  me." 


a2g  "I'VE  GOT  HIM." 

"I'll  be  only  too  glad  to  do  so,  if  I  have  the  chance." 

"  I  don't  think  flinging  down  anything  we  can  lay  hold  of  will  help  matters. 
The  others  didn't  venture  near,  and  I  don't  believe  that  fellow  would  have  tried  it, 
if  he  had  taken  a  second  or  two  to  consider  the  matter." 

During  these  stirring  incidents,  Pongo  and  Abdallah  kept  their  beat,  though 
they  stopped  several  times  in  tramping  back  and  forth  to  survey  the  scene. 

It  is  remarkable  how  closely  a  lot  of  monkeys  or  baboons  will  imitate  the  antics 
of  a  number  of  mischievous  boys. 

Having  failed  to  catch  the  spotted-maned  thief,  Dick  Brownell  refrained  from 
repeating  his  attempt  in  that  form.  He  stood  still,  meditating  whether  any  plan, 
after  all,  except  the  hard  one  of  shooting  the  pilferer,  would  answer. 

The  latter,  noticing  him  standing  thus,  now  began  to  coax  him  to  venture  again. 
He  walked  slowly  toward  him,  holding  out  the  hat,  as  if  saying  that  the  youth  need 
but  to  stretch  forth  his  hand  to  take  it. 

"  Stand  quiet,"  said  Bob,  in  a  low  voice,  "and  see  how  close  he  will  come." 

Dick  followed  the  suggestion.  The  baboon  halted  a  few  steps  off,  but  the  lad, 
looking  sideways  at  him,  never  stirred  a  muscle.  The  creature  came  still  closer, 
but  remained  just  beyond  reach.  Without  shifting  his  feet,  he  leaned  over  and  ex- 
tended his  paw  a  little  farther. 

Dick  was  tempted  to  spring  at  him,  but  his  cousin  warned  him  to  wait. 

The  baboon  seemed  to  realize  he  stood  on  the  very  "  death  line,"  and  that  it 
would  not  do  to  venture  an  inch  nearer. 

He  leaned  as  far  as  he  could,  with  the  extended  hat,  grimacing  and  chattering 
in  a  way  that  would  have  exasperated  a  person  less  cool  than  Dick  Brownell. 

Still,  the  animal  went  no  nigher,  though  he  seemed  on  the  point,  more  than 
once,  of  risking  it,  and  still  Dick,  in  obedience  to  Bob's  counsel,  stirred  not. 

At  this  critical  juncture,  several  of  the  baboons  that  were  attentively  watching 
the  scene  seemed  to  lose  their  patience.  One  of  them  sneaked  behind  the  spotted 
thief,  and,  with  a  view  of  ending  the  "  dead-lock,"  gave  him  a  slight  shove. 

It  is  not  easy  to  push  down  such  a  nimble  creature  as  a  baboon,  but  this  one 
was  so  nicely  balanced  that  he  toppled  over  at  the  feet  of  Dick. 

"  Now's  your  time,"  called  Bob. 

No  need  of  the  cry.  Dick  pounced  upon  the  knave  like  a  flash,  and  snatched 
the  hat  from  his  grasp.  Throwing  it  to  his  cousin,  to  guard  for  him,  he  hurled  the 
baboon  to  the  ground  and  endeavored  to  pin  him  fast,  as  a  prize  for  the  Greatest 
Show  on  Earth. 

But  the  contract  proved  rather  extensive. 

It  was  a  strong  animal,  and  he  fought  like  a  tiger,  using  his  claws  with  such 
rigor  that  he  inflicted  considerable  damage.  But  Dick  was  plucky,  and  held  on. 

The  other  baboons  became  frantic.  Their  champion  was  in  the  grasp  of  an 
enemy,  and  fighting,  as  may  be  said,  for  his  life.  They  chattered  and  ran  back  and 
forth,  making  demonstrations  toward  the  youth  which  were  sure  to  turn,  very  soon, 
into  a  savage  attack  upon  him. 


"  I'VE    GOT    HIM.' 


229 


Events  moved  swiftly,  but  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  Bob  and  the  two  natives 
remained  idle  during  the  perilous  struggle  of  their  friend.  They  saw  his  danger 
and  lost  no  time  in  running  to  his  help. 

They  were  not  a  moment  too  soon.  The  other  animals  began  closing  around 
the  combatants,  when  the  three  reached  the  spot,  where  they  applied  feet  and  hands 
with  such  vigor  that  the  assailants  were  hurled  right  and  left. 

The  tumult,  by  this  time,  had   roused  Mr.  Godkin  and  Jack  Harvey,  who 
scrambled  from  their  quarters  and  rushed  for- 
ward to  take  a  hand  in  the  disturbance. 

Dick  Brownell  was   a  skillful  wrestler,  and 


he  was  making  a  good  fight  with 
his  contestant.     They  were  on  the 
ground,  and  the  lad   had  twisted 
one  leg  around  the  lower  limbs  of 
the   baboon,  so  as   to  hold   them 
motionless.     He  had  also  secured 
a  grip  about  the  arms,  as  they  may 
be  called,  which  were  so  impris- 
oned that  the  owner  could  make 
no  use  of  them. 

But  the  lad's  danger 
was  from  the  teeth  of  his 
fierce  foe,  which  made 
such   efforts  to  bite 
him  that  it  was  hard 
work  to  protect 
his  face,  and,  at 
the   same  time, 
hold   the  claws 
motionless. 

"I've  got 
him!"    called 
the  brave  youth, 
seeing  his  friends  around 
him,  "and  he  won't  get 
away  either  1 " 

"We  can  leave  you 
alone,  if  you  enjoy  it  so 
much,"  said  Mr.  Godkin 
with  a  laugh,  "  but  I  reck- 
on we'd  better  interfere."  With  the  help  of  the  men,  it  was  an  easy  matter  to 
secure  the  obstreperous  baboon.  His  legs,  both  fore  and  aft,  were  tied  as  though 
his  captors  were  handcuffing  an  ordinary  malefactor,  and  he  could  only  screech  hia 


"I'VE  GOT  HIM." 


"I'VE    GOT    HIM." 


rage  and  helplessness.  His  companions  continued  running  and  capering  about,  but 
the  company  had  assumed  too  formidable  proportions  for  them  to  assault,  glad  as 
they  would  have  been  to  help  their  leader. 

"We've  got  a  cage  that  will  just  fit  this  fellow,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "and  he  is  no 
insignificant  prize." 

Five  minutes  later  the  big  baboon  was  safely  lodged  in  a  strong  structure,  his 
late  being  another  illustration  of  the  truth  that  the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard. 


CHAPTER  XL. 


AS  TO  BABOONS. 

THE  baboons  continued  their  ex- 
cited demonstrations  for  some  time 
after  the  caging  of  the  big  captive,  but 
finally  they  seemed  to  comprehend 
that  nothing  could  be  done  for  him, 
and  that  they  themselves  might  be  in 
danger.  They  scampered  off  into  tha 
tall  grass,  and,  no  doubt,  soon  betook 
themselves  to  the  jungle,  where  they 
must  have  had  a  startling  story  to  tell 
their  friends  of  their  experience  by  the 
camp-fire  of  the  intruders. 

The  flurry  drove  away  what  dispo- 
sition Mr.  Godkin  and  Jack  Harvey 
may  have  felt  to  sleep,  and,  lighting 
their  pipes,  they  sat  down  by  the  fire 
to  keep  company  with  the  boys,  to 
whom  they  told  the  whole  story  of  the 
Texan's  experience  with  the  wild  man 
previous  to  their  being  aroused. 

The  cousins  laughed  as  they  did 
when  they  recalled  their  own  efforts  to 
recover  their  stolen  hats. 

"  I  think  my  tussle  with  that  fellow,"  said  Dick,  "  gave  me  good  practice  for 
hunting  the  genus  Troglodytes,  which  means,  Jack,  the  chimpanzee  and  the  gorilla," 
the  lad  added,  observing  the  startled  look  of  the  Texan. 

"Why  don't  you  call  'em  by  the  right  name?"  growled  Jack. 
"  He  is  right,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin  with  a  smile,  knowing  the  distaste  of  their 
friend  for  technical  words;  "  we  may  as  well  compare  notes  when  discussing  these 
matters.  You  know  each  show  rightly  contends  that  its  menagerie  is  the  best 
school  in  natural  history,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  we  shouldn't  brush  up  out 
knowledge  on  the  subject.  What  about  the  genus  St'mt'a,  Bob  ?  " 

The  latter  scratched  his  head  a  moment  or  two,  but  brightened  up. 
"  I  believe  there  is  but  a  single  species  of  that  genus,  and  he  is  the  orang-outan, 
or  mias,  found  in  Northern  Sumatra  and  in  Borneo." 

"  Borneo  is  considered  its  home,  for  they  are  very  rare  in  Sumatra     He  is  a 


A  FAMILY  PARTY. 


ORANG-OUTANG. 


AS    TO    BABOONS. 


233 


terrible  brute,  and  it  is  said  that  the  only,  creatures  that  dare  attack  him  are  the 
crocodile  and  python." 

"And  how  do  they  make  out?"  asked  Jack  Harvey. 

"He  kills  the  crocodile  by  main  strength,  and  doesn't  find  it  hard  to  do  the 
same  with  the  python.  In  fact,  he  comes  closer  lo  the  gorilla,  in  most  of  his  char- 
acteristics, than  any  animal  of  which  I  have  knowledge.  The  next  genus  of  the 
ape  family  is  that  of  Hylobates,  so  called  because  of  their  power  of  walking  nearly 
erect.  They  have  several  species  known  as  Gibbons,  or  long-armed  apes.  They 


HEAD  OF  ORANG-OUTANG. 

live  in  troops  among  the  upper  branches  oi  trees  in  upland  districts,  the  different 
species  being  found  in  Assam,  the  Malay  Peninsula,  Java,  Sumatra,  Borneo  and  Cam- 
bodia, Hainan  It  isn't  worth  while  to  discuss  them,  for  we  are  more  interested 
in  the  animals  with  which  we  have  just  had  some  experience." 

"  I  believe  they  come  under  the  family  of  sacred  monkeys?  "  was  the  inquiring 
remark  of  Dick  BrownelL 

"No  ;  there  are  two  genera  of  that  family,  but  the  baboons  belong  to  the  family 
of  cheek-pouched  monkeys,  the  most  widely  distributed  of  all  the  Old  "World 
monkeys,  one  variety  being  found  as  far  north  as  Gibraltar,  and  others  in  North 


«34 


AS   TO    BABOONS. 


China  and  Eastern  Thibet.  There  are  seven  genera  belonging  to  the  family,  with 
seventy  species." 

"  Since  you  have  started,"  said  Jack  Harvey,  refilling  his  pipe,  "  go  ahead ;  1 
can  stand  it  if  the  rest  can." 

"  I  don't  want  to  appear  to  air  my  knowledge,  and,  when  I  see  any  weariness,  I 
will  stop.  We  will  drop  the  monkeys,  so  called,  for,  when  you  come  to  give  the 
list  found  in  the  New  World,  it  is  almost  endless.  What  I  have  to  say,  therefore, 
will  relate  to  the  baboon  branch  of  the  family.  They  are  found  in  every  part  of 
Africa,  and  one  species  in  Arabia.  The  latter  has  a  tail  ending  in  a  large  tuft  of 
hair,  and  the  neck  and  shoulders  of  the  male  are  largely  maned.  It  has  long, 
slate-colored  whiskers  and  is  of  an  ashy-gray  color.  They  live  in  large  herds,  and 


A  CONCERT. 

are  met  in  the  mountains  of  Arabia,  throughout  Abyssinia,  in  Senaar,  the  home 
of  Abdallah  there,  in  Kordofan  and  Darfur,  sometimes  at  the  height  of  a  mile 
and  a  half." 

"  I  believe  the  ancient  Egyptians  considered  the  baboon  sacred  ? "  said  Bob 
Marshall. 

"  The  Egyptians  worshipped  and  embalmed  the  baboon,  making  him  sacred  to 
Thoth,  one  of  whose  characters  was  the  god  of  letters.  It  was  in  Hermopolis,  the 
city  of  Thoth,  that  the  baboon  was  particularly  sacred,  though  he  is  far  from  being 
so  regarded  now. 

"The  genus  Gelada  contains  a  species  with  oblong  head,  a  maned  neck  and  a 
short,  tufted  tail.  Its  face,  hands  and  callosities  are  deep  black  in  color;  it  is 
between  three  and  four  feet  long,  and  lives  among  the  mountains  of  Abyssinia. 


AS    TO    BABOONS. 


235 


The  baboon  is  often  tamed  and  taught  to  give  service  to  his  master.  A  troop  of 
them  will  sometimes  act  as  torch-bearers  at  a  supper  party,  and  you  will  find  them 
to-day  in  the  streets  of  Cairo,  performing  tricks  to  the  music  of  drums  and  other 
instruments." 

"Of  what  species  are  the  visitors  we  had  this  evening  ?  " 

"The  Chacma,  which  I  believe  comes  from  the  Hottentot  word  fchackamma. 
It  is  to  your  credit,  Dick,  that  you  made  such  a  good  fight  with  that  fellow,  for  he 
is  stronger  than  the  common  English  mastiff." 

"They  appear  to  travel  in  families,  like 
the  others  you  have  told  us  about." 

"There  are  large  numbers  of  them  in 
the  mountains  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 


THE  CHACMA. 

Those  in  Table  Mountain  often  cause  trouble  by  coming  down  in  such  well- 
organized  droves  that  the  dogs  cannot  keep  them  out  of  the  gardens." 

"What  do  they  live  on?" 

"They  are  fond  of  bulbous  roots,  especially  the  babiana,  which  is  so  named  by 
the  Dutch  colonists  because  the  baboons  are  so  partial  to  its  subterranean  stems. 
You  will  often  come  upon  heaps  of  peelings,  where  the  animals  have  been  sitting 
on  the  rocks  in  the  sun,  stripping  them  off." 

"  They  don't  seem  to  be  very  combative,"  said  Dick,  "  for  my  customer  did  not 
attack  me  until  I  first  pitched  into  him." 

"No ;  it  isn't  likely  they  would  have  offered  you  any  harm,  if  you  had  not  first 


236 


AS    TO    BABOONS. 


disturbed  them.  Sometimes,  in  climbing  the  kloofs,  or  passes  of  the  mountains,, 
travelers  will  set  a  troop  of  baboons  scampering  before  them.  If  they  are  fired 
into,  they  will  retaliate  by  throwing  stones  and  rolling  down  boulders  on  their 
enemies."  "What  kind  of  ba- 

boons are  met  with  far- 
ther north?"  asked  Jack. 
"The  drill  and  the 
mandrill  belong  to  the 
West  Coast.  Their  faces 
are  grooved.  The  drill 
is  a  native  of  the  coast 
of  Guinea,  and  has  an 
erect,  stumpy  tail,  about 
two  inches  long,  and  cov- 
ered with  short,  bristly 
hair." 

"I  shouldn't  consider 
that  hardly  deserving 
the  name  of  a  tail.  What 
is  their  color?" 

"There  is  a  mixture 
of  green  in  the  upper 
parts,  with  a  light,  silvery 
hue  beneath.  They  wear 
their  whiskers  according 
to  the  English  fashion  — 
that  is,  brushed  back- 
ward, and  the  slight 
beard  on  the  chin  is 
orange-colored." 

"  If  we   catch  any  of 
them,"   said  Jack,   "  I'm  going  to  recommend  the  extensive  use  of  some  dye  on 
their  beards,  for  the  color  don't  seem  natural." 
"  How  about  their  faces  ?" 
"  They  are  naked  and  black  as  ink." 
"  What  is  the  size  of  the  mandrill  ?  " 

"  About  five  feet,  when  fully  grown.  They  are  singular-looking  creatures,  for 
their  cheeks,  instead  of  being  black,  are  of  a  clear  violet-blue,  with  oblique  furrows. 
Just  above  the  eyes  begins  a  bright  red  line,  and,  running  down  the  nose,  spreads 
over  the  lip.  The  eyes  are  small,  sparkling,  and  of  a  hazel  color.  The  long  hair 
on  the  side  of  the  head  grows  upward,  ending  in  a  sharp  point  at  the  crown.  When 
I  add  that  the  long,  erect  beard  is  yellowish,  and  each  of  the  stiff,  bristle-like  hairs 
which  cover  the  body  has  rings  of  black  and  yellow,  you'll  admit  that  the  mandrill 


THE  GELADA. 


AS   TO    BABOONS. 


237 


is  a  curiosity  well  worth  seeing.     In  Borneo  is  found  a  long-nosed  monkey  who  is 
about  as  frightful-looking  a  creature  as  can  be  imagined." 

"  I  hope  we  shall  be  able  to  capture  a  mandrill  when  we  go  north  on  our  gorilla 
hunt,"  remarked  Bob  Marshall. 

"  It  isn't  probable,  for  they  do  not  frequent  the  same  section  of  country.     But 
any  subject,  no  matter  how  interesting  at  first,  becomes  tiresome  after  a  time,  so 

we'll  drop  that  of  baboons." 

It   still  lacked   considerable  of   daylight,  and  Jack 


THE  DRILL. 

Harvey  decided  to  return  to  his  sleeping- quarters,  asking  that  he  should  be  called 
if  any  more  visitors  put  in  an  appearance  before  daylight.  The  director  stayed 
with  the  boys,  and  made  a  tour  of  the  stockade  to  see  that  all  their  prisoners 
were  safe. 

So  far  as  they  could  discover,  nothing  was  amiss.  The  large  giraffe  had  shown 
some  excitement  during  the  flurry  caused  by  the  baboons,  but  she  quieted  down  on 
the  disappearance  of  the  visitors,  and,  with  that  docility  which  is  characteristic  of 
the  gentle  creatures,  seemed  to  have  become  quite  suited  with  her  novel  quarters. 


238 


AS    TO    BABOONS. 


"  I  don't  know,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  looking  thoughtfully  at  the  dark  line  of  tall 
grass  in  the  direction  of  the  river,  "  that  it  is  strange  that  most  of  our  visitors  choose 
that  route.  If  there  is  much  more  of  it,  I  shall  move  farther  back  from  the  stream.1* 

"  Pongo  told  me  to-day,  or  rather  yesterday,"  said  Dick,  "  that  he  had  seen  signs 
of  rhinoceroses  and  hippopotami  not  far  off." 

"  He  was  right,  for  I  noticed  the  same  thing.  Fact  of  it  is,  my  glass  showed  me 
one  of  the  biggest  behemoths  I  ever  looked  upon." 


MANDRILL. 


"  Where  was  he  ?  " 

"  A  half  mile  the  other  side  of  the  stream.  He  was  standing  with  his  side  toward 
me,  so  that  I  had  a  fair  view." 

"  Why  didn't  we  pay  him  a  visit  ?  " 

"  He  will  keep,"  was  the  remark  of  the  director;  "  he  isn't  the  only  one  in  this 
part  of  the  world.  They  have  been  pretty  well  frightened  away  from  the  upper 


GROUP  OF  HOWLERS. 


239 


240 


AS    TO    BABOONS. 


regions  of  the  Nile,  but  there  are  plenty  left  in  Central  and  South  Africa.  I  have 
some  other  work  I  want  to  finish  before  we  attack  them." 

"  It  will  be  a  job  to  transport  a  hippopotamus  or  rhinoceros  to  Port  Natal." 

"Altogether  too  big  a  job  to  move  one  thither  unless  he  is  quite  small.  We 
shall  have  to  follow  the  rule  that  prevails  with  other  animals  —  kill  the  parents  and 
carry  off  the  little  ones  before  they  are  big  enough  to  cause  trouble." 

The  night  continued  calm  and  still,  and,  after  standing  on  the  edge  of  the  camp 
for  a  short  time,  the  three  friends  sauntered  back  to  where  the  fire  had  begun  to 
smolder  again. 

They  had  sat  there  but  a  brief  while,  when  the  growing  light  in  the  east  proved 
that  the  eventful  night  had  come  to  an  end,  and  another  day  was  at  hand. 


LONG-NOSED  MONKEYS. 


CHAPTER  XLI. 

SOME  WONDERS  OF  THE  ANIMAL  KINGDOM. 


I  AM  afraid  it  w  ould  be  tedious 


ticulars  that  attended  many  of 
the  interesting  discoveries  of  our 
friends  in  Southern  Africa.  They 
saw  some  of  the  wildest  and 
grandest  scenery  on  their  way 
through  the  Drakenberg  Moun- 
tains, and  encountered  storms  and 
tempests  almost  the  equal  of  the 
appalling  cyclones  of  our  own 
country.  There  were  times  when 
it  seemed  impossible  to  advance 
farther;  but,  before  the  point  of 
despair  was  reached,  some  way 
opened  to  push  on,  until  we  find 
them  at  the  point  where  they  went 
into  permanent  camp,  and  devoted  their  entire  attention  to  the  capture  of  curiosi- 
ties for  the  menageries  in  whose  employ  they  were. 

It  occurs  to  me  that  I  ought  to  have  mentioned  long  ago  that  the  procuring  of 
wild  animals  is  not  always  such  a  difficult  task  as  would  seem.  It  is  customary  to 
have  a  resident  agent  in  each  of  the  principal  cities  of  Europe.  He  is  on  the  look- 
out for  curiosities.  Then,  all  the  zoological  gardens  of  Europe  act  as  agents,  and 
are  in  constant  correspondence  with  other  managers.  And  lastly  are  the  parties 
of  men  who  go  out  on  special  elephant-hunting  expeditions  in  India  and  Africa. 

At  a  certain  season  of  the  year,  one  agent,  a  white  man,  mounted  on  a  camel, 
will  ride  through  the  country,  and  the  news  of  his  approach  will  quickly  be  com- 
municated to  the  natives  in  the  interior.  When  he  arrives  at  some  well-known 
point  of  rendezvous,  he  will  be  met  by  hundreds  of  the  black  natives,  each  member 
of  the  party  having  in  charge  a  camel,  a  giraffe,  a  rhinoceros,  a  party  of  monkeys, 
or  a  group  of  wild  goats,  these  having  been  secured  by  the  natives  during  their 
hunting  expeditions. 

The  sending  of  the  party  into  the  interior  of  Southern  Africa,  under  charge  of 
Mr.  Carl  Godkin,  was  in  the  nature  of  a  venture  or  experiment,  and  it  was  a  very 
successful  one,  as  the  succeeding  chapters  will  show. 


16 


241 


242  SOME    WONDERS    OF    THE    ANIMAL    KINGDOM. 

No  attempt  at  a  history  of  the  enterprise  would  approach  completeness  without 
a  description  of  some  of  the  marvelous  exhibitions  of  insect  life  that  came  under 
the  observation  of  the  hunters.  Bob  and  Dick  took  careful  notes  and  received 
many  suggestions  from  Mr.  Godkin,  the  result  being  a  record  which  formed  for  me 
one  of  the  most  absorbing  parts  of  the  narrative  of  the  enterprise.  . 

The  termites,  or  white  ants,  build  nests  of  different  forms.  Some  are  found 
among  the  branches  of  trees,  seventy-five  feet  above  the  ground ;  others  build  a 
round  turret  of  clay,  a  couple  of  feet  high,  with  a  projecting  roof,  so  that,  as  it  stands 
on  the  earth,  it  suggests  in  appearance  an  enormous  mushroom.  Within  are  count- 
less cells,  of  various  forms  and  sizes. 

There  are  other  nests  in  Africa,  more  curious  than  these.  They  are  made  of 
clay,  broad,  and  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  high.  It  is  easy  to  mistake  them  for 
villages,  for  some  of  the  structures  are  larger  than  the  huts  of  the  natives  them- 
selves. 

In  building  these  dwellings,  the  termites  first  erect  several  turrets  of  clay  of  the 
shape  of  a  sugar  loaf,  and  a  foot  high.  These  are  rapidly  added  to,  increasing  in 
height,  until  they  are  joined  at  the  top  in  one  dome,  and  united  into  a  complete 
whole  by  a  thick  wall  of  clay.  This  soon  puts  on  a  green  coating  of  grass,  so  that 
the  resemblance  to  a  haycock  is  quite  complete.  When  the  structure  has  assumed 
this  shape,  the  insects  remove  the  clay  turrets  that  have  served  as  supports,  and 
use  them  in  building  other  dwellings. 

Only  the  lower  part  of  the  house  is  occupied  by  the  inhabitants.  The  upper 
portions,  being  very  strong,  serve  as  guards  against  the  weather  and  enemies, 
besides  preserving  the  moisture  required  for  the  hatching  of  the  ants  in  the  lower 
part. 

In  the  inhabited  part  are  the  apartments  for  the  king  and  queen,  the  storehouses 
for  food,  and  the  nurseries  for  the  young. 

There  must  be  hundreds  of  thousands  of  ants  employed  in  erecting  each  of 
these  buildings,  and  it  is  an  amazing  fact  that  every  one  appears  to  understand 
his  duty  so  well  that  there  is  never  the  slightest  interference  between  them  as  they 
rush  to  and  fro  in  their  labors. 

If  each  of  these  ants  were  as  large  as  a  man,  and  possessed  corresponding  energy, 
their  houses  would  be  several  miles  high. 

Of  course  the  white  ants  have  their  enemies,  else  they  would  not  take  such  care 
in  building  their  houses.  The  chief  of  these  is  the  aard-vark,  or  earth-hog.  He  has 
molar  teeth,  of  a  cylindrical  form,  pierced  longitudinally  with  numberless  minute 
tubes.  Their  surface  is  quite  flat,  and  fitted  for  the  crushing  of  insects.  Their 
nails  are  intended  to  dig  the  ground,  the  head  long,  the  limbs  short  and  strong,  and 
the  tongue  extensible.  The  earth-hog  lives  wholly  upon  white  ants,  which  it 
devours  wholesale. 

The  animal  makes  its  home  in  a  burrow  a  short  distance  under  ground.  It  keeps 
out  of  sight  during  the  day,  but  at  dark  comes  forth  and  sets  out  for  the  ant-hills. 
Digging  a  hole  on  either  side  of  them,  it  startles  the  community,  whose  members  run 


SOME    WONDERS    OF   THE    ANIMAL   KINGDOM. 


243 


in  all  directions,  when  the  long  tongue  is  thrust  among  them,  and  they  are  gathered' 
in  without  number.  The  earth-hog  has  no  tusks,  its  safety  depending  upon  -its' 
effective  means  of  concealing  itself. 
One  of  the  most  destructive  of  i 
flies  known  in  Africa  is  the  tsetse. 
It  is  an  extraordinary  fact  that 
while  its  sting  produces  no  per- 
manent ill  effects  upon  man  or  wild 
beasts,  it  is  sure  death  to  horses 
and  horned  cattle.  Even  the  buf- 
falo and  zebra,  closely  allied  as 
they  are  to  the  horned  cattle  and 


THE  ANT-LION 


horses,    are   not    harmed    by   the 

bite.     Fortunately,   the   tsetse   is 

confined  to  a  distance  of  only  two  or  three  miles  from  the  base  of  the  mountains. 

Were  it  otherwise,  such  a  wagon  train  as  mine  would  never  dare  venture  into  the 

interior.     Mr.  Godkin's  knowledge  of  the  dreadful  insect  enabled  him  to  avoid  its 

fatal  haunts.     In  the  fourth  year  which  Gordon   Cumming   spent  in  hunting  in 

Africa,  this  insect  killed  all  his  draught  oxen  and  most  of  his  horses. 

There  is  another  fly,  with  four  long  wings,  which  lays  its  egg  on  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  or  just  below,  in  the  loose,  sandy  soil,  where  the  sun  hatches  it  out,  in 
the  form  of  a  caterpillar.  You  would  not  think,  from  its  appearance,  that  it  was 
calculated  to  catch  its  prey,  for  it  has  a  slow  pace,  and  can  only  move  backward, 
but  it  plays  wild  havoc  among  other  insects,  especially  ants. 

This  ant-lion,  as  it  is  called,  begins  operations  by  first  tracing  a  circle  in  the  sand, 
intended  to  mark  the  boundary  of  its  future  home.  Putting  itself  inside  the  circle, 
it  thrusts  its  rear  portion  into  the  sand,  using  one  of  its  fore-legs  as  a  shovel,  and 
places  the  load  on  its  flat  head  and  then  flings  it  on  the  outside  of  the  circle.  Moving 
backward,  it  keeps  this  up  until  it  comes  around  to  the  point  from  which  it  started. 

A  second  and  third  circle  are  traced 
and  filled  in  the  same  manner,  until  it! 
arrives  at  the  center.  Then  a  second  series 
of  circles,  deeper  and  of  less  diameter,  are 
made,  ending  when  the  hole  has  the  ap- 
pearance of  an  inverted  cone. 

To  avoid  fatijgue,  the  insect,  after  com- 
pleting one  circle,  turns  around  and  moves 
so  that  it  uses  the  other  fore-leg.  It 
snatches  out  any  small  stones  that  may  be 
in  its  way.  If  the  stone  is  too  heavy  to  be 
got  rid  of  in  this  summary  fashion,  it  bal- 
ances it  on  its  back,  and,  carefully  carrying 
it  to  the  top  of  the  boundary  line,  tumbles  it  over.  If  the  stone  is  too  large 


THE  ANT-LION'S  TRAP. 


SOME    WONDERS    OF   THE    ANIMAL   KINGDOM. 

to  remove,  the  ant-lion  abandons  the  spot  and  builds  its  abode  somewhere  else. 
When  completed,  the  pit  is  about  two  inches  deep,  and  the  ant  buries  itself  in 
the  bottom,  with  only  its  jaws  visible.  It  is  now  on  the  watch,  and  it  hasn't  long 
to  wait,  before  some  insect,  wandering  about,  stops  on  the  edge  of  the  pit,  probably 
to  see  what  has  been  going  on.  The  treacherous  sand  gives  way  under  it,  and  its 
struggles  only  help  it  to  roll  down  into  the  jaws  waiting  to  receive  it. 

Should  recent  rain  hold  the  particles  of  sand  together,  so  that  the  insect  can 
sustain  itself,  and  should  it  start  to  crawl  to  the  top  before  its  descent  is  completed, 
the  ant-lion  scrambles  out  and  begins  flinging  dirt  on  the  head  of  its  prey  with 
such  skill,  and  in  such  quantities,  that  it  is  soon  overwhelmed  and  devoured. 

Having  sucked  the  juices  from  the  insect,  the  shell  is  flung  to  a  considerable 
distance  beyond  the  ramparts,  so  that  other  insects,  passing  that  way,  will  not  take 
alarm  at  the  sight. 

The  ant-lion  continues  business  for  two  years  at  the  old  stand,  when  it  sinks 
deeper  in  the  sand,  spins  a  silken  cocoon,  is  transformed  into  a  chrysalis,  and  in 
three  weeks  emerges  a  perfect  insect. 

There  are  many  wild  bees  in  South  Africa.  They  make  their  nests  in  the  clefts 
of  rocks,  and  the  natives  display  a  good  deal  of  cunning  in  hunting  them  out  and 
extracting  the  honey,  which  is  carried  in  leather  bags  made  for  the  purpose. 

A  great  help  to  the  South  African  in  hunting  the  bees'  nests  is  the  honey-bird. 
Haying  found  the  retreat  of  the  industrious  insects,  the  honey-bird  knows  better 
than  to  disturb  them,  but  looks  out  for  some  one  to  open  the  way  for  it.  It  will  fly 
in  front  of  the  first  person  it  sees,  uttering  sharp  screams,  and  often  pausing,  as  an 
invitation  for  him  to  follow.  If  he  is  slow,  the  bird  becomes  impatient  and  cries 
more  excitedly  than  before. 

When  the  bird  has  guided  the  native  to  the  spot,  it  perches  itself  on  a  rock  or 
bush  and  quietly  waits  until  the  store  vof  sweets  has  been  removed.  The  native 
does  not  forget  his  friend,  but  leaves  the  comb  with  the  young  bees  for  its  reward, 
and  you  may  be  sure  it  enjoys  a  feast. 

Bob  Marshall  and  Dick  Brownell  were  so  interested  in  this  bird  that  they 
offered  a  liberal  price  for  its  capture,  but  Pongo,  Diedrick  and  the  rest  of  the  com- 
pany were  as  much  opposed  as  the  other  friendly  natives,  whom  they  occasionally 
saw,  to  its  capture.  They  held  it  in  such  high  esteem  that  they  were  unwilling  to 
degrade  it  by  imprisonment. 

Among  the  rocks  and  stones  was  found  an  insect  so  exactly  like  them  in  color, 
and  sometimes  in  shape,  that  it  never  would  have  been  discovered  had  it  not  been 
in  motion  a  moment  before.  When  the  birds  alight  near  it  in  quest  of  food,  the 
insect,  which  belongs  to  the  Gryllus  tribe  (including  the  cricket,  grasshopper, 
locust  and  the  like),  remains  motionless.  The  vigilant  bird  may  be  but  a  few 
inches  distant,  but,  with  all  its  keenness  of  vision,  is  unable  to  distinguish  the 
insect,  which  is  thus  saved  on  the  principle  of  the  chameleon,  which  has  the  power 
of  accommodating  to  a  certain  extent  its  color  to  the  object  upon  which  it  happens 
to  have  taken  refuge. 


SOME    WONDERS   OF   THE    ANIMAL    KINGDOM. 


245 


The  mantis  assumes  the  most  grotesque  forms,  resembling  something  so  closely 
the  plant  to  which  it  clings,  that  only  by  motion  can  its  real  character  be  ascer- 
tained. It  lays  its  eggs  upon  plants,  and  covers  them  with  a  glutinous  substance 
which  hardens  and  forms  a  case  around  the  deposit.  This  is  the  insect  known 
as/4  the  walking  leaf." 


CHAPTER  XLII. 

THE     DARKENING     SKY. 

WHILE  my  task  confines  me  mainly 
to  a  description  of  some  of  the  most 
striking  wonders  in  the  natural  history 
of  the  Old  World,  you  must  not  sup- 
pose that  the  New  World  is  lacking  in 
that  respect.  What  more  odd-looking 
objects  can  be  conceived  than  the 
belted  armadillo  of  Central  and  South 
America,  unless  it  is  the  ball-shaped 
armadillo  ?  They  are  nocturnal  in  their 
habits,  and  can  ill  stand  the  glare  of 
sunlight.  If  detected  and  shut  off  from 
its  retreat,  it  rolls  itself  up  like  a  ball, 
tucks  its  head  under  its  chest,  draws 
in  its  legs  and  awaits  your  pleasure. 
Its  flesh  is  too  strong  for  our  palates, 
but  the  natives  are  quite  fond  of  it. 
The  tamanoir,  or  ant-bear,  is  a  native  of  Brazil  and  Paraguay  as  well  as  of 
Guinea.  The  little  ant-eater  is  found  among  the  trees  of  Central  America.  It  may 
be  said  that  the  ant-bear  always  carries  its  umbrella  with  it,  for  its  plumy  tail 
affords  it  all  the  shade  it  wants,  and  when  sleeping  it  looks  like  a  bundle  of  hay 
flung  on  the  ground. 

There  is  a  brown  and  golden  bird  in  Mexico  which  has  a  way  of  ruffling  up  its 
feathers  on  the  top  of  its  head  so  that  its  crest  resembles  a  beautiful  flower.  So 
perfect  is  the  counterfeit  that  before  long  a  bee  comes  buzzing  along,  and,  stopping 
to  sip  some  honey,  is  snapped  up  in  a  twinkling. 

Arizona  has  a  rattlesnake  about  four  feet  in  length  with  eyes  literally  like  points 
of  fire.  Once  a  bird  catches  sight  of  those  eyes,  and  it  is  so  fascinated  that  escape 
is  impossible. 

In  Sinalva  are  gigantic  wasps  whose  sting  not  only  kills  tarantulas,  but  mum- 
mifies and  preserves  them  at  the  same  time.  The  wasps  then  drag  them  off  to  their 
holes  in  the  sand-hills,  and  lay  their  eggs  in  them,  so  that  when  the  young  are  born, 
they  feed  on  the  tarantula.  The  blending  of  the  wasp  poison  with  that  of  the 
tarantula  produces  nutritious  food  for  the  young  wasps. 

A  centipede  builds  a  cactus  fence  around  him  when  he  lies  down  to  sleep,  as  a 

346 


THE  CHAMKLBON. 


THE    DARKENING    SKY. 


247 


protection  against  the  tarantula,  which  will  never  crawl  over  cactus,  but  peeps  over 
at  the  sleeper  without  daring  to  disturb  him. 

Even  our  plants  partake  of  this  amazing  ingenuity.  In  Shasta  county,  Cali- 
fornia, grows  the  pitcher  plant.  Its  pitcher  is  six  inches  long,  more  than  an  inch 
through,  and  with  a  lid.  The  sweet-smelling  petals  inside  tempt  bugs  and  insects, 
and  down  they  go,  the  lid  closing  over  and  shutting  them  in.  The  little  hair-barbs 
sticking  downward  prevent  the  insects  from  climbing  out,  even  if  it  was  not  for 
the  lid. 

Having  caught  a  good  supply  of  insects,  the  pitcher  plant  absorbs  them  into  its 
growth,  thus  proving  that  inanimate  nature  is  sometimes  able  to  outwit  animate 
nature. 


THE  BELTED  ARMADILLO. 

Although  Equatorial  Africa,  Southern  Africa  and  India  are  the  homes  of  most 
of  the  wild  beasts,  birds  and  reptiles  of  the  world,  I  must  remind  you  that  only  a 
part  of  the  curiosities  of  the  Greatest  Show  on  Earth  come  from  those  countries. 

For  instance,  the  odd-looking  aye -aye,  the  sole  representative  of  the  chiromyida 
family,  is  a  native  of  Madagascar.  In  size  and  shape  it  bears  some  resemblance 
to  the  domestic  cat.  Its  teeth  are  large,  and  consist  only  of  molars  and  incisors, 
and,  I  believe,  it  makes  its  nest  among  the  trees. 

Chameleons  are  found  principally  in  the  African  continent,  the  common 
chameleon  ranging  only  as  far  east  as  portions  of  Central  Asia  and  Ceylon,  and  as 
far  north  as  Spain.  They  are  all  insectivorous,  movp  slowly,  and  possess  the 


248 


THE    DARKENING    SKY. 


remarkable  power  of  changing  the  color  of  their  skin.  This  peculiarity  depends 
partly  upon  the  amount  of  light  to  which  they  are  exposed,  and  partly  on  the  emo- 
tions caused  by  fear  or  anger. 

The  martens  are  so  common  that  I  am  quite  sure  you  do  not  need  any  special 
description.  I  may  say,  however,  that  the  pine-marten  is  so  called  because  it  is 
generally  found  in  places  where  pine  trees  abound.  It  is  shy,  but  is  a  little  fury 
when  driven  at  bay.  The  marten  is  an  inveterate  thief  and  robs  every  bird's  nest 
in  its  neighborhood,  frequently  killing  the  old  ones  as  well  as  the  young.  The 
impudent  rogue  often  takes  possession  of  the  nest  of  a  rook,  hawk,  crow,  magpie, 
or  other  bird,  and  you  need  not  be  told  that  his  victims  dare  not  attempt  to  evict  him. 


THE  BALL-SHAPED  ARMADILLO. 

Among  my  curiosities  is  a  musk-ox,  of  whose  peculiarities  many  people  are 
ignorant.  His  chosen  home  is  the  frozen  regions  of  the  North,  and  you  will  find 
mention  of  him  in  the  accounts  of  the  voyages  of  the  Arctic  explorers.  He  is 
without  a  muzzle,  rather  small  in  size,  low  on  his  legs,  and  covered  with  such  an 
immense  quantity  of  wool  and  dark-brown  hair  that  he  appears  to  be  much  larger 
than  he  is.  During  the  depth  of  winter  this  hair  almost  touches  the  ground. 

There  is  a  grayish-white  place  on  his  back  called  the  saddle.  His  large  horns 
are  so  flattened  at  the  base  that  they  cover  his  head  like  a  hat,  and  sometimes 
weigh  fifty  or  sixty  pounds. 


THE    DARKENING    SKY. 


249 


At  certain  seasons  of  the  year,  especially  in  each  spring,  the  odor  of  the  musk- 
ox's  flesh  is  so  strong  that  it  can  be  detected  on  the  knives  used  to  cut  its  flesh.  At 
Other  seasons  the  smell  is  almost  absent,  and  it  is  excellent  eating. 

The  short  legs  of  the  animal  are  more  useful  to  him  than  you  would  suppose. 
He  can  run  fast,  and  is  as  good  a  mountain  climber  as  the  goat.  They  gather  in 
herds  in  September,  for  mutual  protection  against  wolves,  which  are  numerous  in 
their  haunts. 

When  musk-oxen  are  attacked  by  hunters  they  make  formidable  prepar  tions. 
'Ine  younger  animals  are  put  in  the  center,  while  all  the  older  ones  surround  them, 
and  stand  with  their  heads  facing  outward.  They  tear  up  the  earth  with  their  hoofs 
and  horns,  bellow, 
and  seem  eager  for 
the  fray. 

Then  the  oldest 
bull  of  the  herd  sta- 
tions himself  at  the 
head,  as  if  about  to 
lead  a  charge.  On 
the  approach  of  the 
hunters,  he  cau- 
tiously advances  to 
reconnoiter,  closely 
watching  every 
movement.  That 
duty  completed, 
he  saunters  back  to 
his  fellows  and  a- 
waits  the  opening 
of  battle. 

You  would  sup- 
pose, from  all  this 
flourish,  that  the 

musk-oxen  are  among  the  bravest  of  quadrupeds.  But  at  the  first  volley  from  the 
hunters  the  magnificent  army  of  warriors  wheel  and  scamper  off  in  a  panic,  leaving 
their  dead  and  wounded  to  take  care  of  themselves. 

However,  I  have  told  you  enough  about  the  different  animals,  and  it  is  time  I 
returned  to  the  account  of  our  friends,  who  had  encamped  for  an  indefinite  period 
in  Southern  Africa.  Bob  and  Dick  devoted  what  leisure  they  gained  to  the  study 
of  the  captives,  and  to  attempt  to  cultivate  their  friendship.  This  was  a  task  which, 
if  not  encouraging  at  all  times,  was  entertaining. 

The  hartbeest  seemed  indifferent  to  their  advances.  Ke  did  not  resent  their 
overtures,  but  showed  no  appreciation  of  them,  heedless  whether  they  came  near 
or  not,  so  long  as  they  did  not  allow  him  to  want  for  food. 


THE  TAMANOIR. 


25° 


THE    DARKENING    SKY. 


The  leopard  kittens  were  as  frisky  as  a  couple  of  young  domestic  cats.  They 
were  continually  frolicking,  tumbling  about  and  playfully  using  their  teeth  and 
claws  upon  each  other.  They  did  not  object  to  a  little  caressing,  but  occasionally 
gave  the  lads  a  taste  of  what  they  would  soon  be  able  to  do  with  the  weapons 
furnished  by  nature. 

Had  the  juvenile  lion  been  favored  with  a  brother  or  sister,  he  would  have 
displayed  an  equal  degree  of  friskiness,  but,  though  alone,  he  appeared  to  be 
satisfied  and  comfortable,  caring  nothing  for  the  loss  of  his  parents,  so  long  as  his 

rations  were  forthcoming. 

Dick  Brownell  was  sure  the  little 
fellow  was  beginning  to  learn  to  recog- 
nize and  show  him  affection,  but  Bob 
scouted  the  idea.  The  creature,  he 
insisted,  hadn't  enough  sense  to  dis- 
criminate, else  it  would  have  fixed  upon 
him  as  the  object  of  its  friendship. 

Bob  was  willing  to  admit  that  the 
porcupine  displayed  a  partiality  for  his 
cousin,  and  he  urged  him  to  take  the 
plaything  in  his  arms  and  fondle  it, 
with  a  view  of  cultivating  its  lovely 
disposition. 

It  was  hard  to  look  upon  the  mother 
giraffe  and  its  young  one  without  being 
touched.  They  showed  no  fear  on  the 
approach  of  any  of  their  captors,  and 
the  parent  sometimes  reached  down  its 
long  neck  to  invite  Bob  or  Dick  to  pat 
its  forehead.  The  little  one  would  have 
followed  them  about  the  encampment, 
had  they  allowed  it  freedom.  It  surely 
was  as  contented  as  if  running  with  its 
mother  over  the  plains  or  through  the 
open  jungles. 

Since  there  was  little  expected  of  the  others,  our  friends  were  not  disappointed. 
There  was  nothing  done  in  the  way  of  hunting  on  the  day  succeeding  the  visit 
from  the  baboons.     The  captured  one   was  so  surly  that  none  of  the  captors  at- 
tempted any  advances,  but  he  was  left  to  sulk  alone  until  he  should  recover  his 
spirits,  if  indeed  he  ever  would  do  so. 

But  the  looks  of  the  heavens  presaged  a  tempest,  and,  as  I  have  already  stated, 
they  are  sometimes  of  the  most  fearful  character  in  that  portion  of  the  Dark  Con- 
tinent. 

Extra  care   was   taken  in  preparing  for  it.     The  stockade  was  examined  at 


THE  AYE-AYE. 


THE    DARKENING    SKY. 


251 


every  point,  and,  where  there  appeared  any  sign  of  weakness,  it  was  strength- 
ened  :  the  wagons  were  made  secure  and  the  horses  strongly  tethered,  the  oxen 
being  left  to  themselves,  since,  the  greater  the  disturbance,  the  closer  were  they 
likely  to  cling  to  camp. 

Whatever  hopes  the  hunters  may  have  had  that  the  impending  storm  would 
pass  by  were  removed  at  sunset,  when  in  the  northern  horizon  arose  a  black  cloud, 
which  rapidly  climbed  and  overspread  the  sky.  A  cool  breeze  fanned  the  faces  of 
all  who  were  watching  the  coming  of  the  storm,  and  the  animals,  as  is  often  the 
case,  showed  alarm  at  the  strange  appearance  of  the  heavens. 

A  big  fire  had  been  started  near  the  middle  of  the  camp,  though  it  was  expected 
that  the  storm  would  drench  it  out  or  scatter  the  brands,  like  chaff,  across  the  plain. 


II 


MARTENS. 

It  will  be  perceived  that  there  never  was  more  need  of  watchfulness  than  the 
present  time.  The  war  of  the  elements  would  arouse  all  the  wild  animals  within  its 
area,  not  a  particle  of  moonlight  could  find  its  way  through  the  murky  atmosphere, 
and  what  light  the  fire  gave  was  liable  to  be  extinguished  from  the  cause  named. 

Although  Mr.  Godkin  and  Jack  Harvey  had  been  on  duty  a  good  part  of  the 
preceding  night,  they  decided  to  keep  awake  until  the  storm  should  exhaust  itself. 
They  had  spent  a  portion  of  the  afternoon  in  sleep,  and,  since  they  were  confident 
that  the  tempest  would  not  last  more  than  an  hour  or  two,  the  task  did  not  promise 
to  be  a  severe  one. 

They  had  as  their  assistants  Bormo,  Valmur  and  Govozy,  who  were  to  do  their 
best  to  keep  the  fire  going,  and  to  prevent  any  stampede  on  the  part  of  the  animals. 


252 


THE    DARKENING    SKY. 


Bob  and  Dick  wanted  sleep,  and  crept  into  the  wagon  where  they  were  accus- 
tomed to  make  their  beds  at  night.  The  canvas  over  them  was  so  strong  that  they 
were  confident  it  would  not  fail  them  as  a  roof;  it  had  been  through  some  of  the 
most  violent  gales  that  can  be  conceived,  without  suffering  damage. 

The  lads  did  not  withdraw  from  their  friends  until  the  wind  was  whistling 
powerfully  through  the  camp,  causing  some  excitement  among  the  animals,  captive 


as  well  as  domestic.    The  horses  whinnied  and  moved  around  their  circumscribed 
space,  as  if  seeking  for  shelter. 

It  was  not  any  special  fear  the  owners  felt  of  their  flight  during  the  night  beyond 
recall,  but  it  was  at  such  times  when  there  was  no  moon  that  they  were  liable  to  be 
visited  by  lions.  It  was  the  wish  of  the  hunters  to  keep  all  the  animals  within  the 
area  of  the  camp-fire's  illumination,  so  as  to  hold  them  as  safe  as  possible  from 
tiarauding  enemies. 


CHAPTER  XLIII. 

OUT    IN    THE    NIGHT, 


AN  AFRICAN  TEMPEST. 


THERE  is  something  soothing 
in  the  sound  of  the  wind  at  night, 
when  it  moans  around  your  house, 
and  you  hear  the  snow  sifting  a- 
gainst  the  window  panes,  or  rust- 
ling among  the  leafless  branches. 
Little  possibility  of  our  friends 

being  lulled  to  sleep  by  anything  in  the  nature  of  a  snow-storm,  though  the  sudden 
cooling  of  the  heated  air  and  the  violent  puffs  of  wind  suggested  the  thought;  but 
they  had  not  journeyed  all  the  way  from  Port  Natal  to  learn  the  nature  of  an 
African  storm. 

"  We're  going  to  catch  it,"  said  Dick,  noticing  how  rapidly  the  wind  was  rising. 
"  I  don't  think  it  will  be  worse  than  some  of  those  tempests  in  the  Drakenberg 
Mountains  —  helloa  !  " 

Without  the  least  warning  a  vivid  flash  of  lightning  clove  the  sky  from  horizon 
to  zenith,  followed  instantly  by  a  crashing  peal  of  thunder  that  shook  the  ground  as 
if  by  an  earthquake. 

The  animals  in  the  camp,  young  and  old,  tame  and  wild,  were  startled  into  cries, 
making  a  series  of  discords  which  deepened  the  shock,  and  brought  the  boys  to  a 
sitting  posture,  causing  them  to  look  affrightedly  around  in  the  gloom. 

253 


OUT    IN    THE    NIGHT. 


The  strong  canvas  cover  shut 
off  their  view  in  most  directions, 
but  through  the  opening  at  the 
rear  they  had  a  view  of  the  camp 
as  shown  by  the  glare  of  the  fire. 
The  sight  was  picturesque 
and  striking.  The  wind,  which 
was  blowing  more  strongly  every 
minute,  had  fanned  the  blaze, 
whose  reflection  showed  almost 
every  member  of  the  camp. 

The  handsome  face  of  Jack 
Harvey,  as  he  stood  erect,  look- 
ing   around    with    an    inquiring 
expression,  as  if  to  make  sure 
that    everything    was    safe;    the 
pale,  thoughtful  Mr.  Godkin;  the 
sallow  countenances  of  the  na- 
tives, who  stared  here  and  there,  uncertain  from  what 
point  the   fatal  bolt  would  come,  glancing  furtively 
now   and    then    at   the    animals,   who   were   no   less 
alarmed  than  they:  these  were  the  most   prominent 
points  in  the  picture  which  met  the  eyes  of  Bob  and 
Dick,  who  formed  no  insignificant  part  of  the  scene 
themselves,    as   they   peered    out    from   the   canvas- 
covered  wagon. 

Naturally,  the  expectation  was  that  such  a  prodigious  electric  explosion  would 
be  quickly  followed  by  others,  but  the  exchange  between  earth  and  sky  seemed  to 
have  restored  the  equilibrium  for  a  time,  and  the  darkness  remained  unbroken  by 
any  blinding  flashes. 

Suddenly  every  one  was  startled  by  a  rattling  as  of  a  million  bullets.  Hailstones 
of  large  size  came  down  with  such  fury  that  every  person  ran  for  shelter,  and  the 
animals  bellowed  and  whinnied  with  terror  and  pain. 

Fortunately,  however,  the  flurry  lasted  but  a  few  minutes,  when  the  fall  of  hail- 
stones ceased  as  abruptly  as  it  had  begun.  Mr.  Godkin,  Jack  Harvey  and  the  natives 
returned  to  their  stations,  while  the  boys  crouched  in  the  wagon  and  wondered 
what  was  coming  next. 

The  wind  blew  strongly,  and  now  and  then  large  drops  of  rain  pattered  around 
them,  with  a  noise  like  that  of  the  hailstones,  which  lay  in  winrows  about  camp. 

"We  didn't  make   preparations   for  anything   like   this,"  said   Bob,  "and   I'm 
afraid  our  captives  have  suffered.     If  some  of  the  little  ones  got  pelted  on  the  head 
with  those  stones,  they  may  have  had  their  brains  knocked  out." 
"  How  about  the  baboon  ?  " 


"  IT  VANISHED  IN  THE  GLOOM.' 


OUT    IN    THE    NIGHT. 


255 


"  He's  too  thick-headed  to  be  hurt.    I  wouldn't  care  if  he  did  get  a  rap  or  two, 
it  might  take  some  of  the  ugliness  out  of  him." 

"I  don't  wonder  that  such  a  flash  of  lightning  —  my  gracious  !  " 

At  that  instant,  a  volley  of  wind  shot  under  the  wagon  cover  and  whipped  it 
from  its  fastenings.  The  boys  made  an  instinctive  grab  for  it,  but  were  unable  to 
check  its  flight.  They  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  white  sheet,  whipping  and  turning 
like  a  sail  in  a  gale,  as  it  vanished  in  the  gloom. 

So  strong  was  the  wind  that,  as  the  canvas  struck  the  earth,  it  rolled  and  tum- 
bled and  doubled  over  itself  in  the  oddest  way,  but  all  the  time  skimmed  along 
the  ground  with  a  speed  hardly  less  than  the  wind  itself. 

"  It'll  never  do  to  lose  that ! "  exclaimed  Dick,  leaping  out  of  the  wagon  and 
starting  on  a  run  after  it. 

Such  was  his  haste  that  he  never  thought  of  taking  his  gun  along.  Fortunately, 
Bob  was  more  thoughtful,  and,  as  he  sprang  from  the  rear  of  the  vehicle,  but  a  few 
paces  behind  his  cousin,  he  had  his  rifle  with  him. 

The  whole  proceeding  was  reckless  and  uncalled-for.  Had  either  Mr.  Godkin 
cr  Jack  Harvey  seen  it,  they  would  have  ordered  the  boys  back  again  on  the  instant. 
The  roll  of  canvas  had  to  go  but  a  short  distance  to  pass  beyond  sight.  It  was  not 
likely  to  be  carried  far,  however,  and  could  be  recovered  on  the  morrow. 

But  you  know  how  impulsive  the  most  sensible  boy  is  at  times.  It  was  natural 
that  they  should  make  the  attempt  to  recover  the  canvas,  though  Dick  had  not  run 
far  before  he  felt  he  had  committed  a  mistake. 

The  gloom  around  him  was  so  profound  that  he  was  literally  unable  to  see  a 
foot  in  any  direction.  The  only  means  of  guidance  was  the  glimmer  of  the  camp- 
fire  behind  them,  which  shone  over  the  plain  like  the  eye  of  some  great  ogre. 

By  and  by  the  electricity  began  to  accumulate  disproportionately,  either  in  the 
sky  or  earth,  so  disturbing  the  equilibrium  that  faint  flashes  appeared,  accompanied 
by  mutterings  of  thunder. 

"  The  lightning  will  come,"  was  the  thought  of  Dick,  "  and  then  I'll  gain  a  glimpse 
of  what  I'm  looking  for ;  it  can't  be  far  off." 

Inasmuch  as  it  was  evident  that  it  was  only  a  waste  of  time  to  continue  forward, 
the  youth  came  to  a  halt  and  waited  for  the  illumination  which  was  to  end  the  wild 
hunt.  Dick  was  unaware  that  his  cousin  had  followed  him,  for  his  own  flight  was  so 
hurried  that  he  paid  no  heed  to  anything  except  the  skurrying  canvas,  which  he 
hoped  to  catch  before  it  went  too  far. 

But  Bob  was  hard  after  his  comrade,  though  he  could  see  nothing  of  him,  after 
his  leap  from  the  wagon  and  dash  into  the  darkness.  Not  doubting  that  he  was 
close  at  his  heels,  Bob  kept  at  a  brisk  trot  until  he  must  have  gone  several  hundred 
yards,  when  he  stopped. 

" Helloa  !  Dick,"  he  called,  "we  may  as  well  give  it  up  and  wait  till  morning  ; 
don't  you  think  so  ?  " 

To  his  surprise,  there  was  no  answer,  and  he  repeated  the  call  in  a  louder  tone> 
keeping  it  up  until  his  lungs  could  stand  no  more. 


256  OUT    IN    THE    NIGHT. 

It  cannot  be  said  that  Bob  was  alarmed,  though  he  was  puzzled  to  understand 
how  they  could  have  got  beyond  each  other's  hearing  in  so  short  a  time.  It  is  im- 
probable that  they  were  far  apart  at  the  moment,  but  the  wind  was  blowing  with 
great  force  directly  across  the  space  between  them,  and  carried  his  voice  away 
from  the  ears  for  which  it  was  intended. 

Bob  was  shrewd  enough  to  understand  the  most  likely  cause  of  his  failure  to 
locate  his  cousin,  though  even  that  seemed  hardly  sufficient,  and  he  thought  an 
additional  reason  must  exist. 

Finding  he  could  not  make  himself  heard,  he  turned  about  and  looked  at  the 
camp-fire,  which  was  burning  at  no  great  distance.  He  could  see  figures  moving 
in  front  of  it,  and  one  of  them  struck  him  as  being  that  of  his  cousin. 

"  That's  it,"  he  said  to  himself;  "  Dick  has  awakened  to  his  blunder  and  gone 
back;  I'll  do  the  same." 

His  situation  was  such  that  his  view  of  the  camp  was  unobstructed,  the  stock- 
ade being  in  another  direction.  It  was  therefore  "  clear  sailing,"  as  it  may  be 
called,  and  the  thought  that  he  would  experience  any  delay  did  not  enter  his  head. 

But  Bob  had  walked  only  a  short  distance,  when  he  became  convinced  that 
some  animal  was  between  him  and  camp,  and  that  it  was  moving  in  the  same 
direction.  Now  and  then  it  was  like  a  flickering  shadow,  disappearing  so  quickly 
that  it  was  impossible  to  form  any  idea  of  its  precise  form  or  nature. 

Thrown  in  relief  for  the  moment  against  the  saffron  flames  far  beyond,  its  form 
was  of  the  most  shadowy  and  indistinct  character. 

"  I  wonder  what  it  can  be,"  he  asked  himself  a  dozen  times,  while  moving  softly 
forward;  "  I'm  mighty  glad  I  brought  my  gun  along,  but  as  it  is,  I  don't  want  to 
stumble  over  it.  I'm  glad,  too,  that  Dick  didn't  forget  his  rifle,"  he  added,  with 
never  a  suspicion  that  his  friend  was  abroad  in  the  night  unarmed. 

The  faint  flutterings  of  lightning  did  little  more  than  make  the  intense  gloom  vis- 
ible. Bob  hoped  for  a  flash  that  would  tell  him  the  precise  nature  of  the  danger  —  as 
he  believed  it  to  be  —  in  front  of  him,  and  the  thought  that  such  an  illumination  was 
likely  to  come  every  instant  caused  him  to  slacken  his  pace  and  advance  with  the 
utmost  caution. 

It  seemed  unwise  to  him,  even  though  well  armed,  to  follow  in  the  track  of  the 
animal,  and  he,  therefore,  made  a  wide  circuit  to  the  left,  with  a  view  of  flanking 
the  beast.  He  continued  until  he  had  gone  so  far  that  the  stockade  threatened  te 
interfere  with  his  vision,  when  he  once  more  started  in  a  direct  line,  all  his  senses 
on  the  alert. 

In  a  brief  while,  the  lad  feared  he  had  committed^  serious  blunder,  for  so  long 
as  matters  kept  the  form  they  had  a  few  minutes  before,  he  held  the  unknown  in 
front,  where  he  could,  to  a  certain  degree,  keep  it  under  his  eye,  but  by  flanking  itf 
the  probabilities  were  he  had  given  the  beast  a  chance  to  get  behind  him,  the  very 
situation  which  a  wild  animal  desires  when  stealing  upon  its  victim. 

Bob's  discomfort  was  increased  by  a  distinct  growl  which  came  from  some  point 
near  at  hand,  though,  for  the  life  of  him,  he  could  not  make  sure  of  the  direction. 


OUT   IN    THE    NIGHT. 

As  you  may  suppose,  the  youth,  by  this  time,  was  thoroughly  scared,  for  he  was 
in  a  perilous  position  indeed.  He  cocked  his  Winchester,  and  braced  himself  to 
receive  a  charge  from  some  quarter,  the  feeling  being  that  horrible  one  that  comes 
over  a  man  when  he  is  absolutely  at  a  loss  to  know  the  point  whence  a  crashing 
blow  is  to  descend. 

Braced  thus,  Bob  glanced  around  in  the  impenetrable  gloom,  hoping  that  the 
ear,  if  not  the  eye,  would  give  him  the  knowledge  on  which  his  life  depended. 

Peering  in  the  direction  of  the  camp-fire,  he  was  unable  to  see  anything  resem- 
bling the  outlines  of  an  animal,  and  he  could  feel  no  doubt,  therefore,  that  his 
enemy  was  on  his  flank,  or  what  was  more  likely,  directly  behind,  and  creeping 
upon  him. 


17 


CHAPTER  XLIV. 

PEERING  OUT  INTO  THE  GLOOM.  % 

CANNOT  conceive  of  any  situation  more  trying  to  the  nerves  than  that  of  Bob 
Marshall.  Had  it  been  daytime,  when  he  was  able  to  locate  his  foe,  he  would 
have  been  pleased  rather  than  otherwise,  for  the  spice  of  danger  would  have 
given  a  pleasant  thrill,  just  as  had  been  the  case  more  than  once  while  on  his  way 
to  the  camp  in  South  Africa.  Now,  while  his  dependence  was  on  his  sense  of 
hearing,  he  listened  intently  for  the  growl  that  he  had  caught  a  few  minutes 
before.  But  the  warning  was  not  repeated. 

I  am  glad  to  say  that  my  young  friend's  nerves  were  not  kept  at  this  painful 
tension  for  any  length  of  time,  though  the  period  seemed  ten-fold  greater  than  it  was. 

The  flickering  lightning  suddenly  spread  into  one  vivid  flame,  which  illumined 
earth  and  sky  with  a  distinctness  greater  than  that  of  midday,  while  the  appalling 
crash,  as  before,  shook  the  very  earth. 

It  so  happened  that  at  the  moment  the  shock  came,  Bob  had  turned  half  way 
'round,  and  was  looking  directly  behind  him.  The  sight  which  met  his  eyes  could 
not  have  been  more  terrifying. 

Less  than  fifty  feet  off,  a  huge  lion  was  crouching  on  the  earth,  and  stealthily 
creeping  toward  him.  A  few  more  seconds,  and  he  would  be  close  enough  to  make 
his  leap,  which  would  land  him  upon  Bob's  shoulders,  who  would  be  as  helpless  as 
an  infant. 

There  was  the  single  revelation,  and  then  instantly  all  became  profound  gloom 
again.  Lion,  earth,  sky,  all  were  swallowed  up  in  darkness. 

The  distance  to  camp  was  short,  and  the  natural  instinct  of  the  young  sports- 
man was  to  dash  thither  "at  full  speed ;  but  to  do  so  was  fatal,  since  the  lion  would 
have  been  on  him  before  he  could  have  traveled  one-quarter  the  way. 

No;  there  was  but  one  course  to  take,  and,  knowing  the  value  of  every  second, 
Bob  Marshall  did  not  hesitate. 

Although  unable  to  see  the  king  of  beasts,  he  knew  precisely  where  he  was,  and 
he  was  so  accustomed  to  handling  his  rifle,  that  he  could  aim  without  glancing 
along  the  barrel. 

It  would  be  too  much  to  say  that  he  was  able  to  fire  with  anything  like  the  accu- 
racy he  would  have  shown  in  the  daytime,  but  he  was  confident  of  "  getting  there," 
ail  the  same. 

Up  went  the  gun  to  his  shoulder,  and  Bob  let  fly  with  five  shots,  as  rapidly  as 
he  could  pump  them  from  his  weapon.  That  number,  he  felt,  ought  to  be  sufficient, 
and  prudence  told  him  to  keep  a  reserve  for  other  contingencies  that  might  arise 
before  he  could  reach  his  friends. 

258 


PEERING    OUT    INTO    THE    GLOOM. 


259 


Lowering  his  rifle,  Bob  quickly 
retreated  several  steps,  and  then 
listened  a  full  minute,  to  hear  the 
dying  struggles  of  his  foe. 

While  engaged  in  firing,  he  fan- 
cied he  detected  some  unusual 
sounds,  and  he  was  sure  of  catching 
them  again,  since  the  growl  that 
had  reached  him  proved  that  the 
wind  was  in  the  right  direction. 

To   his    astonishment,   however, 


nothing  was  heard  above  the 
gale  roaring  about  his  ears. 

"  Can  it  be  I  missed  him  ?" 
he  asked  himself  with  a  shud- 
der; "he  may  have  changed 
his  posture  ;  if  so,  he'll  be  on 
me  right  away." 

Once  again  the  lightning 
came  to  his  aid.  The  flash 
was  not  as  overpowering  as 
before,  but  it  was  enough  to 


PEERING   OUT   INTO   THE    GLOOM. 

tell  him  a  most  gratifying  truth.  By  one  of  those  strange  accidents  which  now  and 
then  come  to  us  in  this  world,  the  first  bullet  fired  by  Bob  Marshall  had  penetrated  the 
brain  of  the  lion  and  killed  him.  The  four  balls  cent  after  the  first  had  all  found  an 
entrance  into  the  immense  head,  and  any  one  ot  them  would  have  been  enough 
to  cause  death.  So  I  may  say  that  the  youth  was  guilty  of  a  waste  of  ammunition. 

It  was  a  vast  relief,  indeed,  to  him,  who  was  wise  enough  to  improve  his  chances 
at  once.  There  might  be  other  wild  beasts  near  at  hand,  and  it  would  never  do  to 
count  on  the  aid  of  the  lightning,  that  had  just  done  him  such  a  good  turn. 

Without  glancing  in  any  direction,  Bob  broke  into  a  run  for  camp,  his  feelings 
quickly  changing  to  a  panic  as  is  often  the  case  when  we  start  to  flee  from  some 
danger. 

He  almost  fell  headlong  among  his  friends. 

"  Where  did  you  come  from  ?  "  asked  the  astonished  Jack  Harvey. 

"  If  you  had  been  going  a  little  faster  you  wouldn't  have  been  able  to  stop  yet 
awhile,"  added  the  wondering  Mr.  Godkin. 

"I  think  you  would  run,  too,  if  you  found  a  lion  at  your  heels,"  replied  the 
youth,  somewhat  abashed  at  the  exhibition  he  had  made. 

"  Was  that  your  gun  we  heard  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  didn't  Dick  tell  you  wherq  I  was  ?  " 

"  No ;  we  haven't  seen  Dick,"  said  Jack;  "where  is  he  ?  " 

"  I  suppose  he  is  in  the  wagon,"  remarked  the  director,  his  manner  showing  hia 
uneasiness. 

Bob  ran  thither  with  little  hope  of  finding  his  cousin.  Of  course  he  was  absent, 
and  Bob  came  back  with  the  announcement  that  he  had  fled,  and  that  his  gun  had 
been  left  behind,  there  being  enough  light  from  the  camp-fire  to  show  that  dis- 
quieting fact. 

Jack  Harvey  was  vexed. 

"  How  long  before  you  tenderfeet  will  gain  enough  sense  to  take  care  of  your- 
selves ?  " 

Bob  felt  the  reproof  was  deserved,  but  his  whole  thoughts  now  were  of  his  absent 
friend.  Except  for  his  own  experience  with  the  lion,  his  alarm  would  have  been  far 
less,  but  the  night,  as  I  have  shown,  was  just  such  a  one  as  was  likely  to  bring  out 
the  dreaded  beasts  against  which  the  hunters  had  taken  every  precaution  at  their 
command. 

The  gale  had  threatened  to  blow  away  their  fire,  but,  by  heaping  on  the  wood,  it 
roared  and  crackled  with  a  vigor  that  threw  out  a  more  extended  illumination  than 
before. 

All  the  oxen,  horses  and  goats  were  in  sight  —  a  fact  which  they  seemed  to 
appreciate,  some  of  them  showing  a  disposition  to  crowd  still  closer,  as  though 
well  aware  that  danger  was  abroad. 

The  violent  tempest  had  brought  each  native  from  his  sleeping-quarters,  and 
they  were  giving  their  efforts  toward  the  protection  of  the  property  of  their  employ- 
ers. Orak  was  probably  the  most  active,  and  he  made  several  circuits  around  the 


PEERING    OUT    INTO    THE    GLOOM. 


stockade  to  see  that  the  captives  were  safe.  The  inhabitants  of  the  cages,  too, 
seemed  to  feel  there  was  security  in  the  glow  of  the  fire,  and  they  crowded  as  near 
as  they  could  get  to  it. 


"HE  ALMOST  FELL  HEADLONG  AMONG  His  FRIENDS." 

They  formed  a  singular  picture,  the  older 
ones   showing    by   their    looks    their    alarm. 
Those  whom    a   short  time  before    they  had 
viewed  as  their  enemies  had  been  transformed  by  the 
elements    into    friends,  to   whom    they  appealed  for 
protection. 

The  younger  ones  slept  in   contentment  through  the  fearful  turmoil,  but  the 


262  PEERING    OUT    INTO    THE    GLOOM. 

mother  giraffe  stood  close  to  the  side  of  her  huge  cage,  her  odd  head  groping  along 
the  stakes,  as  though  seeking  some  opening  through  which  she  might  force  her  way 
closer  to  her  friends. 

The  baboon  shared  the  alarm,  and,  though  he  could  not  quite  rid  himself  of  his 
surliness,  he  looked  as  if  he  would  have  welcomed  the  opportunity  to  crowd  a  little 
nearer  to  those  who  had  used  him  so  roughly  but  a  short  time  before. 

Mr.  Godkin  asked  Bob  several  sharp  questions,  to  make  sure  that  no  point  was 
lost.  He,  too,  was  impatient,  that  Dick,  of  whose  judgment  he  had  formed  such  a 
good  opinion,  should  have  forgotten  himself  in  the  excitement  of  the  moment. 

To  him  the  inexcusable  fact  was  that  he  had  pushed  out  in  the  night,  when  he 
must  have  had  time  to  realize  his  mistake.  But  he  was  a  philosopher,  and  he  felt 
that  it  was  not  the  time  to  scold,  so  long  as  the  youth  was  in  danger.  He  would 
settle  with  him  when  he  came  back — provided  he  ever  did  come  back. 

Now,  you  will  readily  understand  the  bad  feature  of  this  business:  it  lay  in  the 
continued  absence  of  Dick  Brownell. 

If  he  were  unharmed  he  could  not  have  gone  far,  without  awaking  to  the  ab- 
surdity of  hunting  for  an  object  which  it  was  impossible  to  locate. 

It  occurred  to  his  friends  that  he  might  have  counted  on  the  help  of  the  light- 
ning, which,  fortunately,  had  told  Bob  Marshall  of  his  danger  from  the  crouching 
lion,  but,  if  such  were  the  case,  it  was  no  credit  to  Dick's  sagacity. 

It  was  that  lion  that  threw  his  friends  into  their  distressing  misgiving. 

They  reasoned  that,  since  the  absent  lad  had  the  ligth  of  the  camp-fire  to  direct 
his  return,  as  did  his  cousin,  he  would  have  availed  himself  of  that  means,  had  he 
been  in  a  situation  to  do  so. 

That  the  king  of  beasts  was  abroad  that  night  was  proven  by  the  experience  of 
Bob  Marshall.  If  he  had  come  in  collision  with  one  of  them,  what  more  probable 
than  that  Dick  had  been  threatened  by  the  same  danger  ?  Since,  too,  the  former 
would  have  perished  but  for  his  Winchester,  what  was  likely  to  be  the  fate  of  the 
other,  who  was  without  any  fire-arms  except  his  revolver,  which  was  almost  useless 
in  such  an  emergency  ? 

These  were  the  grave  questions  asked  by  each  of  his  friends  who  stood  in  the 
light  of  the  camp-fire,  discussing  the  question  whether  it  was  in  their  power  to  do 
anything  to  aid  him. 

"  I'd  mount  Apache,  and  ride  all  the  way  to  the  Congo  to  help  that  young  tender- 
foot out  of  a  scrape,"  said  the  Texan,  "  and  after  I  caught  him,  I  would  give  him  a 
trouncing  for  playing  such  a  trick." 

"There  isn't  anything  that  all  of  us  would  not  try  to  do  to  benefit  him,"  quietly 
added  the  director,  "  but  that  isn't  the  question;  it  is  whether  we  have  the  power  to 
extend  him  help." 

"Can't  you  think  ot  something?"  asked  poor  Bob,  almost  beside  himselt  with 
grief;  "  I  will  die  if  I  have  to  stay  here  idle." 

"  You  know  how  foolish  it  was  for  you  to  hope  to  find  that  canvas  in  the  dark- 
ness; it  is  ten  times  more  hopeless  for  us  to  think  of  finding  Dick." 


PEERING   OUT   INTO   THE    GLOOM.  «&3 

«  But  he  may  not  be  far  off;  he  may  be  wounded,  and  lying  on  the  plain." 

"  But  where?"  was  the  terrifying  question. 

"Ah  ! "  muttered  Jack,  the  exclamation  caused  by  the  rain  which  now  began  to 
descend  copiously;  « that  isn't  going  to  make  it  very  comfortable  for  him." 

"  Nor  for  us  either,"  added  Mr.  Godkin. 

The  three  peered  out  in  the  gloom,  looking,  listening,  hoping  and  praying;  and 
that  was  all  they  could  do,  for  an  emotion  akin  to  despair  was  in  each  heart. 


CHAPTER  XLV. 

ON    THE    TRAIL. 

WHATEVER  feeling  of  resentment  or  impatience  might  have   been  enter- 
tained by  our  friends  toward  Dick  Brownell  soon  vanished  in  the  anxiety 
for  his  welfare.     Sleep  was  out  of  the  question,  until  toward  morning,  when 
Bob  sank  into  an  unquiet  slumber  that  lasted  until  daylight. 

During  the  long,  dark  hours  that  silence  reigned  through  the  camp,  Jack  Harvey 
tnd  Carl  Godkin  smoked  their  pipes  and  discussed  what  they  could  do,  if  anything, 
for  the  absent  one.  So  long  as  night  lasted,  they  must  remain  idle,  the  only  re- 
source being  that  of  heaping  fuel  on  the  fire,  so  that  the  light  should  penetrate  the 
gloom  as  far  as  possible,  and  afford  a  guide  to  the  youth,  if  so  be  it  was  in  his 
power  to  struggle  toward  it. 

The  course  which  Jack  and  Mr.  Godkin  had  decided  upon  was  the  natural  one 
that  would  have  suggested  itself  to  any  person  in  their  situation.  As  soon  as  light 
came,  they  would  set  out  to  hunt  for  the  absent  lad. 

The  party  was  to  consist  of  the  two  gentlemen  named,  Bob  Marshall  and  Pongo, 
the  Bushman,  all  of  whom  would  be  mounted  and  fully  armed.  During  their 
absence  the  camp  was  to  be  left  in  charge  of  Diedrick  and  Abdallah,  who  were  not 
to  go  away  themselves  nor  allow  any  of  the  other  natives  to  do  so. 

The  director  favored  leaving  Pongo  also,  but  the  Texan  saw  a  probable  use  for 
him,  and  fortunately  took  him  along. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  cowboy  had  now  entered  upon  a  duty  similar  in 
many  respects  to  that  in  which  he  had  been  thoroughly  trained  in  his  own  country. 
The  work  of  capturing  wild  animals  was  suspended  for  the  time,  while  the  four 
engaged  in  the  hunt  for  a  person,  just  as  he  had  done  when  on  his  Indian  cam- 
paigns in  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

The  attempt  was  to  be  made,  too,  in  a  country  of  savages  who  execrated  white 
men.  Though  these  natives  widely  differed  from  the  American  Indians,  there  was 
still  a  resemblance  between  them:  the  struggle  might  take  the  turn  of  a  contest  be- 
tween the  cunning  of  the  white  man  and  that  of  the  black  man. 

While  Mr.  Godkin  and  Bob  Marshall  believed  that  Dick's  absence  was  due  to 
wild  beasts,  and  while  Jack  admitted  the  probabilities  pointed  that  way,  he  was 
still  hopeful  he  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a  company  of  natives,  from  whom  he 
could  be  regained  by  strategy  or  force.  His  own  experience  with  the  savages  was 
the  main  foundation  of  this  hope.  Despite  the  impatience  of  Bob,  Jack  would  not 
allow  any  departure  until  all  had  eaten  a  substantial  breakfast  and  swallowed  a 
cup  of  strong  coffee  apiece.  It  was  a  principle  with  him  never  to  enter  upon  such 
an  enterprise  without  a  hearty  meal,  if  it  was  possible  to  secure  one. 

264 


ON    THE   TRAIL. 


265 


The  sky  was  beautifully  clear,  and  the  coolness  of  the  air,  due  to  the  storm  of 
the  night  before,  rendered  the  day  one  of  the  most  delightful  they  had  experienced 
since  their  entrance  into  the  country.  It  would  soon  become  fervid  again,  but  they 
could  not  have  asked  for  a  more  favorable  morning  for  their  work. 

The  first  proceeding  was  to  ride  to  the  top  of  the  adjoining  elevation,  from 
which  they  made  their  survey  of  the  surrounding  neighborhood,  directly  after  their 
arrival. 

"  What  I  want  you  to  do,"  explained  Jack, "  is  to  use  your  eyes.  Scan  every  part 
of  the  horizon  and  tell  me  whether  you  see  anything  of  a  party  of  men,  or  any  signs 
of  a  camp-fire." 


The  four  engaged  in  this 
task,  and  for  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  not  a  word  was  spoken 
'•THE  THREE  LOOKED  LONG  AND  CLOSELY."  by  any  one.     Mr.  Godkin  had 

his  glass  to  assist,  but  at  the 

end  of  the  time,  when  the  Texan  asked  each  in  turn,  the  same  answer  was  re- 
ceived :  not  the  first  evidence  had  been  detected  of  a  party  of  natives  in  their  field 
of  vision. 

"You  are  sure  of  that?"  asked  Jack,  with  an  odd  expression,  addressing  himself 
particularly  to  the  director. 

"There  can  be  no  doubt  of  it,"  he  replied,  puzzled  to  understand  his  full 
meaning. 

"  I  thought  them  glasses  would  help  you  better,  and,  as  for  you,  Pongo,  I  am 
disappointed." 


266  ON    THE    TRAIL. 

"That  seems  to  be  the  situation  of  all  of  us,"  remarked  Bob,  who  was  in  any- 
thing but  a  hopeful  mood. 

"  I  s'pose  it's  all  in  a  chap's  training,"  was  the  comment  of  Jack,  who  now  pointed 
to  the  south. 

"If  you'll  follow  the  way  I'm  p'inting,"  he  explained,  "you'll  see  a  little  patch 
of  jungle,  covering  only  a  few  acres.  It  isn't  far  from  the  stream  which  winds  close 
to  it.  Now,  all  fix  your  eyes  on  the  sky  just  above  it,  and  tell  me  what  you 
observe." 

Thus  directed,  the  three  looked  long  and  closely,  the  director  once  more  calling 
his  binocular  into  use. 

"All  that  I  notice,"  he  said,  "is  the  faintest  possible  appearance  of  a  tiny  cloud, 
seemingly  resting  on  the  tree-tops." 

"Well,"  said  Jack,  "that  cloud,  that  I  s'pose  you  all  now  see,  is  what  is  left  of 
the  smoke  of  a  fire  that  was  burning  among  them  trees  last  night.  A  party  of  wild 
men  was  there,  and  may  be  there  still ;  there's  where  we  must  go  to  look  for  the 
youngster."  The  rest,  including  Pongo  himself,  looked  admiringly  at  the  Texan, 
who  had  discerned  that  which  was  beyond  their  power  of  vision,  and  had  read  its 
meaning  aright. 

"  I  don't  see  why  you  didn't  take  his  trail  from  the  camp  and  follow  it,"  said  Bob. 

But  Jack  shook  his  head. 

"No  living  man  could  have  done  that,  though  I  s'pose  .a  bloodhound  might.  It 
rained  so  hard  after  the  youngster  left  that  there  wasn't  the  least  sign  you  could 
have  counted  on." 

There  was  something  in  the  cool  self-confidence  of  the  cowboy  which  inspired 
his  friends  similarly.  The  Bushman,  though  he  did  not  speak,  showed  something 
of  it  in  the  glow  of  his  sallow  face  and  the  sparkle  of  his  bright  black  eye,  while 
Mr.  Godkin  and  Bob  did  not  hesitate  to  make  known  their  admiration. 

But,  like  those  true  scouts  of  the  border,  Jack  Harvey  was  modest,  and  the 
compliments  he  received  rolled  from  him  like  water  from  a  duck's  back. 

Those  fellows  lose  no  time  in  getting  down  to  business.  Almost  in  the  same 
breath  that  Jack  announced  his  purpose,  he  had  turned  the  head  of  his  mustang 
down  the  slope  and  was  riding,  at  a  swift  gallop,  toward  the  patch  of  jungle,  his 
companions  maintaining  their  places  beside  him,  and  asking  him  many  questions, 
which  he  willingly  answered,  though  he  kept  his  keen  eyes  fixed,  almost  continually, 
on  the  wood,  as  though  he  suspected  some  new  development  would  take  place 
before  he  could  reach  it. 

The  dead  body  of  the  lion  lay  where  it  had  fallen,  but  the  horsemen  did  not  go 
near  it,  for  there  was  no  inducement  to  do  so  and  time  was  too  valuable.  But  that 
glass,  as  it  went  from  hand  to  hand,  and  swept  the  visible  plain,  was  searching  for 
another  body,  which  the  whites  dreaded  to  find,  and  which,  to  their  inexpressible 
relief,  they  did  not  find. 

The  theory  advanced  by  Jack  Harvey  was  based  on  sound  sense,  though  he 
admitted  that  it  was  confronted  by  some  grave  objections. 


ON    THE    TRAIL. 


267 


"  In  the  first  place,"  said  the  Texan,  as  they  rode  at  their  rapid  pace,  so  close 
together  that  conversation  was  easy,  "  that  'ere  young  scamp  has  gone  so  fur  that 
he  passed  over  that  hill  right  ahead  of  us." 

"What  of  that  ?     The  distance  isn't  great." 

"I'll  show  you  in  a  minute,"  replied  Jack,  who,  when  they  reached  the  bottom 
of  the  slope,  on  the  other  side,  asked  his  companions  to  turn  their  heads  and  look 
at  their  own  camp. 

Making  the  attempt,  they  found  it  was  not  in  sight ;  the  hill  shut  it  from  view. 
It  followed,  therefore,  that  if  they  were  riding  in  the  footsteps  of  Dick  Brownell,  he 
had  reached  a  point,  not  far  from  his  friends,  where  the  light  of  his  own  camp-fire 
could  serve  him  no  longer  as  a  guide. 


A  STARTLING  DISCOVERY. 


"But,  if  he  looked  toward  them  trees  right  ahead,"  added  Jack,  "he  would  have 
catched  sight  of  the  fire  burning  there." 

"But  that  was  in  a  course  opposite  to  his  own  camp,"  said  Bob. 

"  You  know  how  easy  it  is  for  any  one  to  get  completely  turned  'round,  so  that 
he  can't  get  things  straight  for  the  life  of  him." 

While  this  is  a  truth  beyond  question,  the  difficulty  lay  in  the  improbability  that 
Dick  Brownell,  in  the  first  place,  would  have  gone  far  enough  in  the  darkness  to 
take  him  to  the  other  side  of  the  hill,  and  that,  having  gone  that  far,  with  the 
knowledge  that  his  friends  were  behind  him,  he  should  have  formed  the  belief, 
almost  on  the  instant,  as  he  must  have  done,  that  a  camp-fire  in  the  other  direction 
was  his  real  destination. 


268  ON    THE    TRAIL. 

Jack's  explanation,  or  rather  theory,  was  that  the  youngster  had  not  held  such 
belief,  but,  having  caught  the  glimmer  of  another  light  than  that  of  his  friends,  he 
had  been  led  by  his  own  curiosity  to  go  forward  and  investigate,  and,  having  done 
that,  he  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  savages. 

This  presupposed  a  thoughtlessness  on  the  part  of  Dick  Brownell  that  was  the 
main  obstacle  to  the  theory.  Indeed,  it  could  not,  in  the  nature  of  things,  be  satis- 
factory to  those  who  knew  him  so  well,  but  who  of  necessity  were  compelled  to 
hold  the  supposition  until  some  proof  of  its  falsity  should  present  itself. 

Having  reached  the  piece  of  jungle,  it  was  easy  to  locate  the  site  of  the  encamp- 
ment held  there  only  a  few  hours  before.  There  were  the  ashes,  bones  and  rem- 
nants, such  as  always  mark  the  scene  of  such  a  halt. 

Jack  Harvey  was  out  of  his  saddle  before  his  mustang  came  to  a  halt,  and,  stoop- 
ing down,  scrutinized  the  ground  with  a  keenness  of  vision  which  no  one  of  his 
company  could  equal,  though  Pongo  came  the  nearest  to  it.  He,  like  Mr.  Godkin 
and  Bob,  engaged  in  the  same  effort,  no  one  speaking,  and  often  glancing  slyly  at 
Jack,  to  see  how  he  was  making  out. 

As  at  the  time  when  all  were  investigating  the  cause  of  the  raft  lying  against  the 
river  bank,  he  moved  entirely  around  the  spot  where  the  fire  had  been  kindled,  so 
that  not  a  square  inch  of  the  circuit  escaped  him. 

Almost  at  the  moment  he  completed  this  task,  which  took  several  minutes,  since 
he  walked  slowly,  in  a  bent  posture,  he  suddenly  straightened  up  and  exclaimed: 

"  Dick  came  to  this  spot,  and  was  captured  by  wild  men  !  " 


CHAPTER  XLVI. 

THE    GLIMMER   OF   A   CAMP-FIRE. 

jEANWHILE,  let  us  see  how  Master  Dick  Brownell  made  out.  I  have  said 
several  times  that  he  did  an  almost  inexcusable  thing  in  starting  to  regain 
the  canvas  cover  that  the  gale  had  whisked  from  over  his  head. 

I  am  quite  sure  you  will  agree  with  me,  and  yet  I  am  obliged  to  say  that  the 
young  fellow,  almost  at  the  moment  he  reached  the  same  conclusion,  was  successful 
in  finding  the  missing  article. 

Of  course  it  was  wholly  accidental,  but  it  so  came  about  that  while  he  was  mov- 
ing carefully  through  the  darkness,  waiting  for  a  friendly  flash  of  lightning  to  give 
its  aid,  his  boot  became  entangled  in  something  which  threw  him  forward  on  his 
face. 

In  his  efforts  to  scramble  to  his  feet,  he  knew  from  the  feel  of  the  article  that  it 
was  the  canvas. 

"  Well,  I  declare  !  "  he  exclaimed,  "  but  that  is  what  I  call  a  piece  of  luck.  I 
don't  think  Bob  will  laugh  at  me  when  he  sees  me  coming  back  bearing  the  wagon- 
cover  in  my  arms." 

Bending  over,  he  began  gathering  the  awkward  bundle  together,  finding  it  so 
much  heavier  and  more  cumbersome  than  he  supposed  that  his  exultation  was 
considerably  modified. 

"  It  would  be  safe  to  leave  it  here  till  morning,"  he  thought,  "  but  that  would 
never  do  —  so  here  goes  !  " 

With  no  little  effort  he  slung  the  stuff  over  his  shoulder,  and  walked  some  dis- 
tance without  trouble.  Then  one  end  began  to  drag,  and,  catching  under  his  feet, 
down  he  went  again,  half  angry,  as  was  natural. 

He  now  began  rolling  the  canvas  into  a  more  compact  form,  helped  thereat 
by  the  friendly  flash  which  saved  Bob  Marshall's  life.  Of  course  Dick  did  not  hear 
the  call  of  his  cousin,  and  the  contrary  wind  carried  the  reports  of  the  rifle  beyond 
reach  of  his  ears.  Thus  he  was  altogether  unaware  of  the  solicitude  of  Bob,  who, 
but  for  the  lion,  would  have  continued  his  attempts  to  find  him. 

Dick  tried  to  keep  his  bearings,  though  his  annoyance  from  the  awkward  bundle 
caused  him  several  times  to  forget  the  danger  of  going  astray.  But  he  had  walked 
only  a  short  distance  when  his  foot  plunged  into  an  ant-hole,  and  he  was  thrown 
forward  with  such  violence  that  he  feared  for  the  moment  his  leg  was  broken. 

"This  is  a  bigger  job  than  I  imagined,"  he  said  to  himself,  "but  I  mean  to  fight 
it  out  on  this  line  if  it  takes  several  weeks." 

Up  to  this  moment  he  had  thought  nothing  of  the  personal  peril  involved  in  a 
venture  of  this  kind.  Had  he  brought  his  gun  with  him  he  would  have  found  it  a 


270  THE    GLIMMER    OF    A    CAMP-FIRE. 

hard  task  to  carry  the  weapon  and  his  bundle,  but  now,  after  shouldering  his  load 
once  more,  he  suddenly  recalled  what  had  been  said  at  the  camp-fire  about  the 
expected  visit  from  lions. 

"The  best  thing  I  can  do,"  he  reflected,  "is  to  get  home  as  soon  as  I  can,  for 
I've  wandered  some  distance  from  camp." 

The  thought  was  still  in  his  mind  when  he  was  frightened  by  the  same  cause 
that  gave  his  cousin  such  a  shock,  almost  at  the  same  moment:  it  was  the  unmis- 
takable growl  of  a  wild  beast  in  front  of  him. 

His  sense  of  hearing  told  him  the  latter  fact,  but  he  was  so  much  farther  from 
the  camp  than  his  cousin  that  his  eyes  could  be  of  no  help  at  all. 

Dick  stood  still,  with  the  deliberate  conviction  that  of  all  the  mistakes  he  had 
ever  made  the  present  one  was  the  greatest. 

He  had  his  knife  and  his  revolver —  weapons  which  he  knew  well  how  to  handle 
in  an  emergency,  but  they  were  not  likely  to  be  of  much  assistance  in  the  impend- 
ing fight  in  the  dark. 

While  he  was  hesitating  as  to  what  step  he  should  take,  if  indeed  he  could  take 
any,  the  same  streak  of  lightning  which  told  Bob  Marshall  the  nature  of  the  peril 
that  threatened  him,  made  the  same  revelation  to  his  cousin. 

Still  worse,  the  lion  that  Dick  saw  was  nigh  enough  to  make  his  spring  and  was 
in  the  very  act  of  doing  so.  The  youth  could  not  have  seen  anything  more  dis- 
tinctly than  he  did  that  appalling  sight. 

Instead  of  drawing  his  pistol,  Dick  flung  up  his  arms,  so  as  to  spread  out  the 
canvas,  and  held  it  before  him  as  a  shield  against  the  impending  shock.  He  knew 
the  lion  was  coming,  and  he  used  the  only  protection  at  command. 

Now  there  is  nothing  so  terrifying  to  a  wild  animal  as  a  danger  which  it  cannot 
understand.  You  have  noticed  how  the  appearance  of  some  uncouth  object  will 
frighten  a  horse  which  is  gentle  in  the  presence  of  danger  twice  as  great. 

So  long  as  Dick  Brownell  remained  himself  in  looks,  he  was  just  the  kind  of  a 
supper  to  please  a  large  and  hungry  lion,  but  when  the  latter  saw  him  assume  the 
shape  of  some  mysterious  creature,  with  large,  white  wings,  he  was  scared  almost 
out  of  his  senses.  Nothing  could  induce  the  king  of  beasts  to  attack  such  a  frightful 
animal,  unless  he  himself  were  pushed  into  a  corner  and  forced  to  fight. 

The  snarling  growl  which  followed  this  precaution  on  the  part  of  Dick  apprised 
him,  for  the  first  time,  of  his  singular  success ;  he  had  succeeded  in  doing  that 
which  seemed  impossible  :  he  had  frightened  the  lion. 

That  certainly  was  strong  reason  for  satisfaction,  but  the  youth  could  by  no 
means  feel  certain  the  fright  would  last.  The  beast,  still  muttering,  trotted  several 
rteps,  looking  back  in  the  gloom,  as  if  he  expected  pursuit. 

Had  Dick  known  it,  or  rather  had  he  possessed  the  light  to  guide  him,  he  could 
have  completed  his  work  by  dashing  after  the  lion,  swinging  and  swirling  the 
canvas,  and  uttering  frightful  cries.  The  beast  would  have  fled  at  the  top  of  his 
speed,  and  never  halted  till  a  long  way  off. 

But  the  youth  could  see  nothing  of  his  foe,  so  long  as  the  Egyptian  darkness 


THE    GLIMMER    OF    A    CAMP-FIRE. 


271 


lasted ;  and  the  latter,  finding  he  was  not  pursued,  regained  enough  courage  to 
stop  a  short  distance,  and  peering  back,  as  well  as  his  species  can  in  the  gloom,  he 
must  have  wondered  that  he  was  spared  by  the  monster. 

Possibly  some  inkling  of  the  truth  entered  his  thick  head,  for  he  not  only 
remained  motionless  several  minutes,  but  turned  about  to  renew  his  attack.  Instead 
of  approaching,  however,  in  a  straight  line,  he  circled  over  the  plain,  so  as  to  get 
to  the  rear  of  his  intended  victim  —  an  act  that  is  in  accord  with  the  sneaking 
nature  of  the  king  of  beasts. 

Fortunately,  Dick  was  not  unmindful  of  this  peculiar  peril,  and  was  guarding,  as 
best  he  could,  against  it.  The  beast  emitted  no  growl,  but  the  lightning,  which  had 
done  the  youth  more  than  one  good  turn  that  evening,  favored  the  lad  again,  by 
showing  his  enemy  in  the  very  act  of  flanking  him. 


"HE  CAUGHT  THE  STAR-LIKE  TWINKLE.' 


Dick  now  did  what  he 
ought  to  have  done  be- 
fore.    Spreading  out  the 
canvas,  so  as  to  make  it  look  as  strange 
as    possible,    he    began    napping    his 
wings,  like  some  immense  bird,  and, 
uttering  the  most  dismal  cries,  headed 

for  the  animal  that  was  so  anxious  to  dine  upon  him.     That  was  altogether  more 
than  the  lion  wanted,  and  away  he  scampered. 

It  was  out  of  Dick's  power  to  learn  whither  the  beast  went,  but  he  kept  up  his 
pursuit,  knowing  it  was  the  wisest  thing  to  do,  though  he  was  in  constant  dread  of 
colliding  with  some  object,  animate  or  inanimate.  He  paused  at  intervals,  and 
looked  and  listened,  but  neither  saw  nor  heard  anything. 

"  I  guess  it's  about  time  I  went  back  to  camp,"  was  his  natural  conclusion ;  "  I 
expect  I  will  catch  it  from  Mr.  Godkin  and  Jack,  for  running  off  in  this  way,  without 
my  gun." 

He  was  breathing  rapidly  from  his  severe  exertion,  for  he  had  run  a  long 
distance.  He  recalled  that  part  of  it  had  been  up  and  down  hill,  and  it  seemed  to 
him  that  once  he  had  splashed  through  some  water. 

Be  that  as  it  may,  Dick  Brownell  awoke  to  the  unpleasant  fact  that  he  had 


272  THE    GLIMMER    OF    A    CAMP-FIRE. 

wandered  out  of  sight  of  the  camp  of  his  friends.  He  scanned  every  point  of  the 
compass,  but  in  no  direction  could  he  catch  so  much  as  a  glimmer  of  a  light. 

As  you  may  suppose,  he  was  in  anything  but  a  comfortable  state  of  mind.  It 
was  alarming  enough  to  learn  that  he  was  lost  in  an  exceedingly  dangerous  country, 
with  many  hours  of  darkness  before  him,  and  without  an  effective  weapon  with 
which  to  defend  himself. 

"Well,  I  have  gone  and  done  it,"  he  muttered  with  a  sigh,  conscious  of  a  faint- 
ness  which  made  him  feel  like  sitting  down  until  it  passed  over.  "  This  is  about  the 
worst  scrape  of  my  life.  I'll  hold  on  to  the  cloth  anyway,  for  it  has  proved  too 
good  a  friend  to  cast  aside." 

It  began  raining,  and  he  found  the  canvas  was  a  friend  in  more  than  one  respect. 
By  gathering  the  folds  around  his  shoulders,  it  served  as  a  protection  against  the 
wet.  The  air  grew  chillier,  and,  but  for  it,  he  would  have  been  in  anything  but  a 
comfortable  state. 

This  was  nothing,  however,  to  compare  to  his  wretchedness  over  the  feeling  that 
he  was  lost,  and  that,  in  all  probability,  he  would  not  be  able  to  find  his  way  to 
camp  until  the  rising  of  the  morrow's  sun. 

What  should  he  do  ? 

He  was  tempted  to  lie  down,  and,  wrapping  himself  as  best  he  could  in  the 
canvas,  bear  it  all  in  grim  silence. 

But  he  was  not  yet  rid  of  his  fear  of  the  lion,  and,  if  the  beast  was  not  still 
lurking  in  the  neighborhood,  others  of  his  kind  or  of  an  equally  dangerous  species 
were  likely  to  discover  him. 

One  of  the  hardest  things  to  do  at  such  times  is  to  sit  or  stand  still,  and  wait  for 
the  minutes  to  grow  into  hours.  Dick  was  unable  to  do  that,  so  he  kept  trudging 
on,  peering  in  every  direction  for  the  welcome  glimmer  that  would  prove  a  beacon 
light  indeed  to  him. 

The  rain  soon  ceased,  but  the  gloom  was,  if  possible,  more  profound  than  ever. 
He  was  literally  going  it  blind,  and  probably  he  would  have  come  to  a  stop  after  a 
brief  while,  but  for  the  fact  that  he  found  himself  ascending  quite  an  elevation. 

"  This  must  be  the  hill  I  came  over  when  chasing  the  lion,"  was  his  thought; 
"  it  hid  the  camp  from  my  sight  and  ought  to  reveal  it  when  I  reach  the  top  — 
helloa  ! " 

With  a  thrill  of  pleasure,  he  caught  the  star-like  twinkle  of  a  point  of  light,  and 
felt  that  his  troubles  were  substantially  ended. 


CHAPTER  XLVII, 

A   CLEVER    STRATAGEM. 

LL  of  Dick  Brownell's  miseries  and  sufferings  were  forgotten  the  moment  he 
caught  the  glimmer  of  the  camp-fire  through  the  chilling  darkness.  He 
was  willing  enough  to  receive  the  scolding  that  he  knew  awaited  him,  but 
never  was  the  glow  of  a  beacon  light  hailed  with  greater  gladness  by  the  storm- 
tossed  mariner  than  was  the  twinkle  which  reached  him  through  the  dismal  night. 

It  struck  the  youth  that  he  rrust  have  followed  some  strange  paths  after  his 
novel  attack  on  the  lion,  for  he  had  not  gone  far  before  he  found  himself  tramping 
through  a  lot  of  tall  grass,  apparently  of  the  same  kind  as  that  growing  along  the 
stream  that  had  sheltered  the  wild  men  and  baboons. 

The  possibility  of  plunging  headlong  into  the  river  itself  caused  him  some 
uneasiness,  but  the  listening  ear  could  detect  nothing  of  the  roar  that  would  have 
been  present,  the  gale  having  entirely  died  out. 

The  storm  was  over.  There  were  faint  flickerings  of  lightning  now  and  then, 
but  not  enough  to  produce  the  faintest  rumbling  of  thunder.  No  rain  fell,  and, 
through  the  rifts  of  black,  overhanging  clouds,  Dick  fancied  he  detected  the  faint 
gleam  of  several  stars. 

Such  storms  as  I  have  attempted  to  describe  are  violent,  but  of  short  duration. 
They  often  inflict  great  damage,  but,  fortunately,  soon  expend  their  fury. 

Dick  Brownell  underwent  every  degree  of  imaginable  surprise  during  his 
hunting  expedition  in  Southern  Africa,  but  he  agrees  with  me  that  none  of  them 
exceeded  that  which  came  to  him  within  a  half  hour  after  his  discovery  of  the  light 
of  the  camp-fire,  shining  across  the  plain. 

The  first  occurrence  that  opened  the  way  to  the  shock  of  astonishment  was  the 
knowledge  that,  instead  of  tramping  across  the  open  country,  as  he  had  been  doing 
all  along,  he  had  entered  the  edge  of  a  jungle. 

"  What  does  this  mean  ?  "  he  asked,  as  the  limbs  brushed  his  face. 

The  puzzling  fact  was  that  the  light  of  the  camp-fire  was  still  in  plain  view. 

The  next  shock  was  when  he  saw  that  the  reason  for  this  was  that  he  was 
within  a  hundred  feet  of  the  blaze  which  had  seemed  until  that  moment  to  be  at  an 
indefinite  distance.  It  was  in  fair  view,  because  it  was  burning  just  beyond  and 
close  to  the  margin  of  the  wood,  which  was  open  to  an  unusual  extent,  so  open, 
indeed,  that  he  had  not  noticed  the  few  intervening  limbs  until  he  looked  the 
second  time. 

The  inevitable  corollary  of  this  discovery  was  that  it  was  not  the  camp-fire 
of  his  friends  that  he  had  approached  ! 

All  doubt  was  removed  when  he  observed  eight  or  ten  natives,  similar  in  some 

is  273 


274  A    CLEVER    STRATAGEM. 

respects  to  those  described  by  Jack  Harvey,  gathered  around  the  blaze,  which 
was  burning  brightly  in  a  small  space.  They  were  naked,  except  around  the  loins, 
had  bushy  hair,  wore  huge  rings  in  their  ears  and  noses,  carried  spears,  and  were 
as  hideous  travesties  upon  the  human  form  divine  as  can  be  imagined. 

Since  the  camp-fire  of  Dick's  friends  was  out  of  sight  of  this  group,  it  was 
clear  that  Mr.  Godkin  and  his  companions  knew  nothing  of  the  natives,  though 
it  was  not  so  clear  that  the  latter  were  not  aware  of  the  location  of  the  others. 

The  wild  men,  as  it  seems  proper  to  call  them,  were  lolling  on  the  ground  and 
smoking,  with  the  exception  of  two  of  their  number,  who  were  busily  employed  in 
cooking  supper.  The  carcass  of  some  animal  was  suspended  on  a  strong  stick, 
which,  in  turn,  was  supported  by  forked  supports,  so  far  removed  from  the  flames 
that  they  were  safe  against  being  burned  apart. 

After  the  carcass  had  been  exposed  to  the  fire  until  it  was  affected  by  the  heat, 
the  two  savages  turned  the  stick  so  as  to  expose  the  other  side.  Inasmuch  as  the 
longitudinal  support  ran  through  the  middle  of  the  body,  it  was  easy  to  subject 
every  part  of  it  to  an  equal  degree  of  heat. 

In  short,  the  process  resembled  that  which  is  sometimes  seen  in  our  own  country 
when  a  party  of  hunters  or  farmers  engage  in  roasting  the  carcass  of  a  hog  or  some 
big  game. 

The  other  wild  men,  who  were  lolling  on  the  ground,  seemed  to  find  much  com- 
fort in  smoking  their  long-stemmed  pipes.  They  showed  no  impatience  for  their 
supper,  though,  by  this  time,  the  hour  had  become  well  advanced. 

What  produced  the  awful  impression  that  suddenly  flashed  upon  Dick  Brownell, 
it  is  impossible  to  say,  but,  all  at  once,  he  asked  himself  the  question  whether  that 
body  which  was  being  prepared  with  such  thoroughness  did  not  belong  to  the  same 
race  as  those  that  were  turning  every  side  of  it  so  regularly  to  the  blaze. 

It  was  a  fearful  query,  indeed,  that  rose,  unbidden,  in  the  mind  of  the  youth,  and, 
for  the  moment,  it  almost  overcame  him.  He  felt  faint  and  leaned  against  the 
nearest  tree  'or  support. 

It  would  seem  that,  with  the  doubt  thus  formed,  the  lad  ought  to  have  felt  that 
the  last  place  in  the  world  for  him  was  where  he  stood.  He  should  have  lost  no 
time  in  taking  himself  from  the  neighborhood,  no  matter  whither  his  footsteps  led 
him. 

But  there  was  a  horrible  fascination  in  the  sight,  which,  for  the  time,  held  him 
rooted  to  the  spot.  Much  as  he  wished  to  fly,  he  lacked  the  power  to  do  so. 

"  Suppose  they  discover  me,"  was  his  thought ;  "will  they  not  serve  me  as  they 
are  serving  that  thing  ?  " 

Suddenly  one  of  the  savages,  whose  duty  it  was  to  attend  to  the  turning  of  the 
spit,  raised  his  face  and  looked  in  the  direction  of  the  spectator.  The  firelight, 
falling  on  his  countenance,  made  one  of  the  most  hideous  pictures  it  is  possible  to 
describe. 

Dick  asked  himself  whether  it  was  possible  the  native  had  heard  or  seen  any- 
thing to  awaken  his  suspicion.  The  youth  was  standing  well  back  in  the  gloom, 


A    CLEVER    STRATAGEM. 


275 


and  was  not  conscious  of  having  stirred  since  leaning  against  the  tree.  Neverthe- 
less, the  fixed  stare  caused  him  to  shrink  farther  away,  until  the  trunk  of  the  tree 
interposed  between  him  and  the  camp,  and  he  simply  peered  around  the  bark. 
Still  the  fixed  look  of  the  wild  man  continued,  until  there  could  be  no  doubt 
that  something  in  the  direction  of  the  youth  had  caught  his  eye  or  ear. 

Dick  was  so  alarmed  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  whirling  about  and  making  a 
break  for  the  depths  of  the  jungle,  heedless  of  what  dangers  he  might  encounter  in 
the  form  of  wild  beasts  or  serpents,  when  the  native  who  had  caused  this  alarm 
said  something  in  a  guttural  voice  to  his  companion,  who  also  turned  and  looked 
in  the  same  direction. 

"By  gracious!"  thought  the 
youth,  "  they  have  found  I  am  here, 
though  I  can't  imagine  how  they 
did  it." 

But  the  second  wild  man  made 
some  reply  that  appeared  to  satisfy 
the  other,  for,  withdrawing  his  gaze, 
he  once  more  gave  his  undivided 
attention  to  the  task  before  him. 

The  time  had  come  to  turn  the 
food  again,  and  a  few  minutes  after 
it  was  done  to  a  turn. 

Being  removed  from  its  place 
over  the  blaze,  each  of  the  cooks 
produced  a  long  knife  from  the  cloth 
at  his  waist,  and  cut  enormous  slices 
from  the  carcass,  tossing  one  in  turn 
to  the  waiting  savages,  who  ate  with 
the  gusto  of  wild  animals. 

The  same  fearful  suspicion  was 
in  the  mind  of  the  lad,  who,  know- 
ing he  was  doing  wrong  in  staying, 
felt  that  he  must  wait  until  some 

turn  took  place  in  the  extraordinary  proceedings.  While  they  were  thus  engaged, 
Dick  Brownell  counted  them.  There  were  just  ten,  and  all  seemed  on  an  equality 
—  at  least,  from  their  appearance  and  action,  it  was  impossible  to  pick  out  one  as 
the  chief  or  leader. 

Standing  thus  a  few  minutes  longer  our  young  friend  once  more  counted  them 
and  was  astonished  to  find  only  nine.  • 

"That's  queer,"  he  said  to  himself;  "  I  was  sure  I  hadn't  made  a  mistake,  but 
certainly  there  are  but  nine.  What  could  have  become  of  the  other  ?  I  don't  think 
they  could  have  eaten  him,  for  1  am  sure  I  would  have  seen  it." 

Despite  the  ferocity  with  which  the  wild  men  assailed  the  food  when  first  handed 


His  ARMS  WERE  SUDDENLY  SEIZED." 


276  A    CLEVER    STRATAGEM. 

to  them,  they  had  a  way  of  lingering  over  their  mea.  which  prolonged  it  indefi- 
nitely, until  it  seemed  to  the  spectator  that  they  must  be  genuine  epicures. 

The  cooks  had  helped  themselves  as  well  as  the  rest  several  times,  until  but  little 
remained  of  the  original  supply, 

"Well,  I'll  be  hanged!" 

This  muttered  exclamation  was  caused  by  what  was  certainly  an  extraordinary 
discovery :  Dick  counted  the  savages  once  more,  and  this  time  there  were  only 
eight  ! 

"  I  haven't  seen  any  of  them  leave,"  he  thought ;  "  and  yet  two  have  vanished 
since  I  first  looked  upon  them.  I  wonder  if  those  cooks  are  running  in  their  fel- 
lows on  the  others  so  slyly  that  no  outsider  can  see  it.  Will  they  keep  it  up  till 
there's  only  one  left,  and  what  then  will  he  do  ?  " 

Had  Dick  Brownell  possessed  the  acumen  of  Jack  Harvey  he  would  have  seen 
in  this  mysterious  disappearance  of  a  couple  of  natives  a  most  significant  warning 
that  would  have  sent  him  flying,  without  an  instant's  delay,  from  the  spot. 

It  certainly  had  a  meaning  which  that  veteran  Indian  campaigner  would  have 
been  quick  to  penetrate. 

With  a  strange  feeling  of  awe  the  lad  counted  them  once  more. 

This  time  there  were  eight :  the  ebb  of  the  tide  had  probably  been  reached. 

"  I  would  give  a  good  deal  to  know  where  those  others  went  without  any  one  —  " 

At  that  moment  Master  Richard  Brownell  ascertained  whither  they  had  gone. 

Without  the  slightest  noise  his  arms  were  suddenly  seized  with  a  power  that  he 
could  not  shake  off.  Uttering  a  gasp  of  terror,  he  turned  his  head,  and  found  in 
the  dim  light  which  reached  the  spot  that  he  was  immovably  griped  by  two  of  the 
wild  men. 

The  lad  was  not  mistaken  in  suspecting  that,  by  some  means  beyond  his  power 
to  understand,  one  of  the  cooks  learned  of  his  presence  near  them.  He  acquainted 
the  others  so  quietly  that  the  listener  never  held  a  suspicion  of  the  truth. 

Then  a  couple  of  the  warriors,  with  admirable  cleverness,  slipped  off  in  the 
jungle,  and,  getting  behind  him,  made  him  prisoner  with  a  deftness  and  skill  that 
eould  not  have  been  surpassed  by  a  brace  of  American  Indians. 


CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

THE  CAPTIVE  AND   HIS   CAPTORS. 

BROWNELL  made  no  resistance,  for  the  reason  that  it  was  out  of  his 
power  to  do  so,  and  any  attempt  in  that  direction  was  likely  to  bring  severe 
punishment  upon  him. 

His  captors  cleverly  relieved  him  of  the  canvas  that  still  covered  his  shoulders, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  extracted  his  revolver  and  knife  from  his  possession.  This 
was  done,  indeed,  while  they  were  forcing  him  forward  into  the  fuller  light  of  the 
camp-fire. 

The  natives  may  not  have  shown  much  interest  in  him  while  he  was  acting  the 
part  of  spectator,  but  they  now  gathered  around,  as  though  he  was  some  wonderful 
object,  on  which  they  had  never  looked  before.  They  pinched  his  arms,  passed 
their  hands  over  his  face,  as  if  unable  to  understand  why  the  skin  should  be  so 
much  fairer  than  their  own,  felt  of  his  garments,  and  looked  with  no  little  admira- 
tion on  the  boots  which  encased  his  shapely  feet. 

While  thus  engaged,  they  expressed  their  feelings  in  the  oddest  clucking  sounds, 
closely  resembling  the  language  of  the  Hottentots,  which,  as  I  have  said,  suggests 
the  noises  made  by  a  lot  of  hens  more  than  anything  else  I  can  call  to  mind. 

Dick  Brownell  stood  the  ordeal  well.  Despite  the  trying  situation,  he  could 
not  help  smiling  at  some  of  their  grotesque  actions,  while  their  childish  bewilder- 
ment would  have  amused  any  one. 

I  suspect  that  a  discovery  made  by  him  at  this  moment  had  much  to  do  with 
his  improvement  of  spirits.  He  gained  a  good  look  of  the  remains  of  the  carcass 
on  which  the  party  had  been  feasting.  He  saw  that  it  belonged  to  some  animal, 
most  likely  a  small  antelope.  He  had  done  the  natives  great  injustice  by  suspect- 
ing them  of  cannibalism,  and,  had  he  possessed  the  means  of  apologizing,  I  am  not 
sure  he  would  not  have  done  so. 

Whatever  disposition  the  captors  might  make  of  him,  Dick  was  immeasurably 
relieved  to  know  that  he  was  not  likely  to  form  a  meal  for  them  to  feast  upon. 

As  if  with  a  view  of  conciliating  him,  one  of  the  natives  handed  his  long-stemmed 
pipe  to  the  lad,  who  took  a  few  whiffs,  through  fear  of  offending  them  by  a  refusal, 
but  the  tobacco  was  so  strong  that  he  dare  not  keep  it  up  long. 

No  little  pleasure  was  displayed  over  the  canvas  covering.  It  consisted  of  a 
goodly  number  of  yards,  was  very  strong  and  had  suffered  nothing  from  its  rough 
usage.  It  was  a  prize  which  the  wild  men  knew  how  to  appreciate. 

The  next  proceeding  of  the  latter  was  to  offer  Dick  some  of  the  meat  that  had 
iurnished  them  with  their  supper.  He  would  have  preferred  to  decline,  since  he 
was  not  hungry,  but  he  ate  a  few  mouthfuls,  an  act  which  I  need  not  tell  you  would 

277 


278 


THE    CAPTIVE    AND    HIS    CAPTORS. 


have  been  beyond  his  power,  but  for  the  removal  of  the  harrowing  suspicion  that 
had  almost  caused  him  to  faint  a  brief  while  before. 

The  ever-present  thought  with  him  was  as  to  the  probable  outcome  of  all  this. 
What  did  these  frightful-looking  natives  intend  to  do  with  him  ?  Would  they  per- 
sist in  keeping  him  prisoner  ?  Would  they  take  him  far  away  to  their  homes,  or, 
knowing  he  belonged  to  a  detested  race,  would  they  put  him  to  death  ?  If  he  was 
retained  in  their  custody  for  some  days,  would  Jack  Harvey  and  his  comrades  in 
camp  be  able  to  do  anything  for  his  liberation  ?  Was  it  not  possible  that  they  would 
consent  to  his  departure,  and,  if  not,  could  he  effect  his  own  escape  in  the  darkness  ? 

These  and  similar  questions  filled  his  mind  as  he  sat  down  on  the  ground  in 
the  midst  of  his  captors,  very  much  after  the  manner  a  friendly  visitor  would  haw 
assumed  who  had  called  to  pay  his  respects  to  the  natives. 


CAPTIVE  AND  CAPTORS. 

At  the  end  of  an  hour,  Dick  decided  to  settle  the  question  whether  they  meant 
to  hold  him  in  custody.  Rising  to  his  feet,  he  made  a  low  salaam,  and,  without 
asking  for  his  weapons  or  the  cloth,  turned  about  to  walk  away. 

Whatever  hope  he  had  in  that  direction  was  dissipated  on  the  instant,  by  half 
the  warriors  leaping  to  their  feet  and  brandishing  their  assagais,  or  javelins,  uttering 
excited  words,  with  such  an  expression  of  ferocity  that  he  resumed  his  seat  with 
more  haste  than  dignity. 

It  was  not  the  mere  failure  of  the  attempt  that  gave  Dick  Brownell  cause  for 
disquietude.  He  had  shown  his  captors  his  eagerness  to  part  company  with  them, 
and  they  were  certain  to  guard  him  more  closely  than  ever. 


THE    CAPTIVE    AND    HIS    CAPTORS. 


2/9 


It  was  unfortunate,  but  really  there  was  no  help  for  it,  since  common  prudence 
suggested  the  step. 

The  next  plan  of  the  lad  was  a  natural  one,  even  though  it  gave  little  promise 
of  success;  he  meant  to  try  to  throw  his  captors  off  their  guard,  with  a  view  to  gain- 
ing a  chance  of  escaping  in  the  darkness. 

By  this  time  the  night  was  well  advanced,  and  he  showed  a  wish  to  sleep  by 
stretching  out  on  the  ground  with  the  air  of  one  extremely  tired.  The  natives  helped 
to  oblige  him  by  tossing  the  canvas  to  him.  Though  it  still  retained  a  good  deal  of 
its  moisture,  Dick  folded  it  under  his  head  as  a  pillow,  and  acted  the  part  of  a 
sleeper  to  perfection. 

His  situation  was  not  what  he  desired,  for  the  savages  were  on  every  side  of  him, 
but  to  have  tried  to  improve  it  would  have  awakened  the  suspicion  of  the  natives, 
if  indeed  they  were  not  already  awakened. 

In  due  time,  the  prisoner  closed  his  eyes  and  breathed  slowly  and  regularly,  but, 
all  the  same,  he  was  taking  sly  peeps  from  the  corners  of  his  eyelids,  and  watching 
those  of  the  natives  whom  he  could  see  without  turning  his  head. 

The  outlook  was  not  encouraging.  About  half  lay  down  to  slumber,  but  the 
rest  continued  smoking  their  pipes,  exchanging  their  queer-sounding  words  and 
showing  no  more  inclination  to  sleep  than  if  they  had  done  nothing  else  for  a  week. 

Still  Dick  did  not  yield  hope,  but  kept  his  eyes  apparently  closed,  while  he 
looked  between  the  eyelids  for  a  chance  to  steal  away  in  the  gloom. 

What  might  have  been  anticipated  took  place.  Without  a  thought  of  his 
liability  to  do  so,  the  lad  fell  asleep  and  never  opened  his  eyes  until  some  one 
touched  his  shoulder.  Then  when  he  looked  around  he  saw  that  daylight  had 
come. 

The  natives  were  ready  to  move,  and  their  captive  was  to  bear  them  company. 
They  evidently  considered  the  meal  of  the  previous  evening  all-sufficient,  for, 
though  enough  fragments  remained  to  form  quite  a  repast,  they  left  them  lying  on 
the  ground.  These  wild  men  were  without  any  horses,  and,  when  they  started  off 
with  the  lad,  took  a  southerly  course,  walking  at  a  moderate  pace,  which  they  were 
capable  of  continuing  many  hours. 

"  I  wonder  how  far  we  have  to  go,"  was  the  thought  of  Dick  Brownell;  "  it  is 
cool  and  delightful  now,  but  the  African  weather  will  soon  be  on  us  again  and  I 
would  much  rather  have  my  pony." 

The  ground  over  which  they  were  traveling  was  more  undulating  than  that  to 
which  he  was  accustomed,  it  being  nothing  more  than  a  succession  of  hills,  some 
of  them  wooded,  while  others  were  covered  with  the  grassy  growth  peculiar  to  the 
country.  Several  times  the  party  passed  near  the  river,  never  quite  reaching  it, 
but  at  a  distance  of  less  than  two  miles  from  the  piece  of  jungle  where  they  had 
spent  the  night,  they  reached  a  slight  elevation  from  whose  summit  Dick  Brownell 
looked  down  on  what  proved  to  be  the  homes  of  his  captors. 

To  the  unbounded  astonishment  of  the  lad,,  the  end  of  the  journey  was  reached 
within  the  succeeding  half  hour. 


a8o 


THE    CAPTIVE    AND    HIS    CAPTORS. 


The  tribe  to  which  these  people  belonged  was  the  Corannas  or  Korahs.  When 
the  Dutch  took  possession  of  Cape  Colony,  they  treated  the  surrounding  natives 
with  great  cruelty.  The  Korahs  were  so  far  removed  to  the  northward,  that  they 
were  beyond  convenient  reach,  and,  therefore,  were  not  much  disturbed.  As  a 
consequence,  they  lived  and  did  as  they  pleased. 

The  Korahs,  in  their  habits,  resemble  in  one  respect  the  Indians  of  our  country. 
They  are  migratory,  continually  shifting  their  quarters,  so  that  a  family  that  is  here 
to-day,  may  be  found  living  a  hundred  miles  away  a  few  months  later. 

They  do  not  care  enough  for  the  land  to  dispute  over  it.  All  they  want  is  water 
and  pasturage  for  their  cattle,  and  they  go  wherever  there  is  the  best  chance  of 
finding  them. 

Dick  Brownell,  surveying  a  small,  pleasant  valley,  saw  nine  native  dwellings 

before  him.  They  were  cones  about 
six  feet  high  and  a  little  broader  in  cir- 
cumference. Each  had  a  single  open- 
ing that  served  as  a  door  and  for  the 
admission  of  light.  The  frameworks  of 
sticks  were  covered  with  several  folds 
of  matting,  formed  from  rushes  and 
coarse  grass. 

The  water  or  milk  vessels  of  the 
Korahs  are  made  of  clay,  baked  in  the 
sun,  or  of  wood,  gourds  or  ostrich  eggs. 
Their  property  consists  of  horned  cat- 
tle, sheep,  goats  and  dogs.  They  have 
no  vehicles  of  any  kind,  and  in  moving 
from  place  to  place,  pile  their  pos- 
sessions, including  their  women  and 
children,  on  the  backs  of  their  oxen. 

The  ten  Korahs  into  whose  hands 
Dick  Brownell  had  run,  were  prospecting  for  suitable  grounds  for  pasturage  and 
their  costumes  were  scantier  than  is  common  among  their  people,  who  generally  wear 
the  skin-cloaks  seen  among  the  Hottentot  tribes.  The  women  wear  square,  orna- 
mented aprons  hung  from  the  waist,  with  copper  chains  and  glass  beads  around 
the  neck,  wrist  and  ankles.  It  is  believed  that  these  chains  are  obtained  from  the 
Damaras,  who  live  to  the  northwest,  where  copper  is  quite  plentiful. 

I  have  referred  several  times  to  the  deadly  poison  used  by  the  Bushmen  and 
other  tribes  on  their  spears  and  arrows.  I  may  have  spoken  of  it  as  a  vegetable 
poison,  which  is  not  strictly  true,  though  it  contains  vegetable  elements. 

In  Southern  Africa  are  some  of  the  deadliest  serpents  known.  A  Bushman  or 
Korah  will  plant  his  naked  foot  on  a  writhing  cobra  and  extract  the  bursting  poison- 
sac  from  his  mouth  and  eagerly  drink  its  contents,  under  the  belief  that  it  protects 
kirn  against  the  fatal  effects  of  a  bite  from  the  reptile,  or  he  will  carefully  save  the 


HUNTING  FOR  POISON. 


THE    CAPTIVE    AND    HIS    CAPTORS. 


28l 


horrible  stuff  for  his  weapons.  This  animal  venom  is  too  thin  and  volatile  to 
preserve  its  power  long.  It  is,  therefore,  skillfully  mixed  with  vegetable  and  mineral 
poisons  until  it  becomes  thick  and  sticky.  This  compound  is  applied  to  the  tips  of 
spears  and  arrows,  a  single  puncture  from  which  is  enough  to  cause  death  with 
almost  the  swiftness  of  a  bite  of  the  dreaded  cobra  de  capello. 


CHAPTER  XLIX. 

AT    THE    VILLAGE. 

|  ACK  HARVEY,  having  discovered  the  footprints  of  Dick  Brownell  among  those 
made  by  the  barefooted  Korahs,  thrilled  his  companions  by  his  announcement 
of  the  fact. 

The  signs,  he  said,  proved  that  the  missing  lad,  instead  of  having  fallen  a  prey 
to  wild  beasts,  was  undoubtedly  alive,  though  a  captive,  and  while  there  was  life 
there  was  hope. 

Immediately  after  uttering  the  inspiring  words,  the  Texan  bent  his  head  and 
made  another  circuit  of  the  camp,  with  the  same  care  as  before.  This  was  with  a 
view  to  finding  how  many  composed  the  party  of  natives.  It  was  beyond  the  power 
of  even  so  skillful  a  scout  as  Jack  Harvey  to  settle  this  question,  though,  as  you  will 
observe,  he  hit  it  closely  when  he  set  down  the  number  as  about  a  dozen. 

All  the  footprints  which  he  saw  had  been  made  since  the  storm  of  the  night 
before,  and  nothing  could  have  been  easier  than  to  trace  them  from  the  back  of  his 
mustang.  Indeed,  had  the  cowboy  been  alone,  he  probably  would  have  done  so, 
while  holding  his  horse  at  a  gallop. 

In  trailing  an  enemy,  the  wise  scout  does  something  more  than  trace  his  foot- 
steps over  the  ground.  If  he  keeps  his  head  bent  and  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  earth, 
he  is  liable  to  run  into  the  very  ambush  that  may  have  been  set  for  him.  A  trained 
Indian  trailer,  like  Jack  Harvey,  scans  the  country  through  which  the  footprints 
lead  and  never  forgets  the  danger  from  ambuscades  and  tricks  of  the  enemy. 

Nothing  was  clearer  in  the  present  instance  than  that  no  ambuscade  threatened, 
but  the  veteran  of  the  border  often  achieves  astonishing  success  by  pushing  his 
pursuit  on  what  may  be  called  general  principles. 

That  is,  instead  of  keeping  to  the  trail,  he  satisfies  himself  as  to  the  destination 
of  the  person  he  is  following.  If  the  tracker  understands  the  country,  he  is  quite 
sure  of  some  crossing  of  a  stream,  some  pass  in  the  mountains,  or  some  excellent 
hiding-place  for  which  his  foe  is  making  by  a  roundabout  course,  so  as  to  throw  his 
pursuer  off  the  track. 

Leaving  the  trail,  therefore,  the  sagacious  scout  "  cuts  across  "  the  country,  and 
probably  reaches  the  goal  of  the  fugitive  hours  in  advance  of  him. 

An  old  comrade  of  Kit  Carson  told  me  he  once  rode  all  night  with  that  fine 
scout,  in  pursuit  of  some  thieving  Kiowas.  Carson  was  so  well  satisfied  of  the 
point  toward  which  the  rascals  were  aiming,  that  he  left  the  trail  at  sunset  and 
took  a  course  almost  at  right  angles.  It  saved  over  a  dozen  miles,  provided  he 
was  right,  as  he  said  would  be  proven  at  sunrise,  but  if  wrong,  it  insured  the  escape 
of  the  marauders. 

282 


AT   THE    VILLAGE.  283 

At  sunrise  they  debouched  into  the  trail  again,  and,  before  the  forenoon  was 
half  gone,  overtook  the  astonished  thieves  and  recovered  all  the  stolen  property. 

The  pursuit  of  Jack  Harvey  was  somewhat  similar,  or,  more  properly,  it  would 
have  been,  had  he  been  able  to  continue  it  very  long.  He  glanced  over  the  country 
in  front  and  asked  : 

"  Carl,  where  do  you  s'pose  those  chaps  went  ?  " 

"The  trail,  so  far  as  I  can  judge,  leads  southward." 

"  But  that  may  be  a  blind  :  do  you  think  they  crossed  the  river  off  there  to  the 
left?" 

"  I  haven't  the  slightest  knowledge  upon  which  to  base  a  guess  ;  we're  in  a 
business  now  where  you  are  the  leader." 

"I'm  satisfied  the  party  have  set  out  to  go  to  their  home,  but  whether  it  is  on 
this  side  of  the  stream  or  the  other,  why,  we've  got  to  find  out." 

"  Since  they  cannot  have  much  the  start  of  us,"  ventured  Bob,  "  why  not  keep 
to  the  trail  and  ride  fast  ?  " 

"  That's  sound  sense,"  replied  Jack  ;  "  we'll  follow  the  advice." 

With  his  usual  promptness,  he  struck  his  mustang  into  a  brisk  gallop,  his  com- 
panions quickly  closing  around  him,  all  on  the  alert  for  the  natives,  who  they  knew 
could  not  be  far  off. 

The  surprise  of  the  party  was  as  great  as  that  of  Dick  Brownell,  earlier  in  the 
morning,  for,  long  before  they  expected  to  gain  sight  of  the  village,  it  burst  upon 
their  view.  There  were  nine  huts,  precisely  similar  to  hundreds  they  had  looked 
upon  in  Southern  Africa,  and  there  were  the  native  Korahs,  moving  to  and  fro, 
with  their  flocks  grazing  on  the  large  hills  beyond. 

"  I'll  be  hanged  !  "  exclaimed  Jack  Harvey  ;  "  I  didn't  expect  this.  I  meant  to 
halt  and  take  a  look  at  things  before  going  so  far,  but  they  have  seen  us,  and  it 
won't  do  to  show  any  fear." 

In  addition  to  the  ten  natives  whom  I  have  referred  to  as  the  captors  of  Dick 
Browaell,  there  was  about  the  same  number  that  remained  behind  while  the  party 
were  prospecting  through  the  country. 

Little,  half-naked  children  were  running  to  and  fro,  women  occasionally  showing 
themselves,  for  the  Korah,  like  the  red  man  of  our  own  country,  never  objects  to 
his  better-half  performing  the  greater  share  of  the  manual  labor. 

Near  the  middle  hut,  six  natives  were  standing  together,  evidently  discussing 
some  matter.  They  looked  up  almost  at  the  moment  the  four  horsemen  appeared 
on  the  top  of  the  hill,  ceased  speaking,  and  walked  forward  to  meet  the  white  men, 
who  had  also  given  rein  to  their  ponies  and  were  coming  down  the  slope  in  the 
direction  of  the  huts. 

"  Pongo,"  said  Jack,  "your  turn  has  come  to  give  us  a  lift :  can  you  make  your- 
self understood  with  them  ?  " 

"  Talk  much  like  Hottentot,"  said  he  ;  "  they  Korah  —  ain't  bad  man." 

"  That  may  be,  but  I  would  like  to  know  what  they  mean  by  running  off  with  a 
youngster  that  belongs  to  us.  Have  you  ever  seen  any  of  this  party  before  ?  " 


284 


AT    THE    VILLAGE. 


The  Bushman  shook  his  head,  to  signify  they  were  strangers  to  him,  though  he 
was  quick  to  recognize  their  tribal  character. 

A  few  moments  later  the  parties  met.  Jack  Harvey  and  Pongo  were  allowed  to 
ride  slightly  ahead,  while  Bob  and  Mr.  Godkin  fell  back,  prepared  to  listen  and 
watch,  and,  if  necessary,  take  part  in  the  proceedings. 

Since  the  half  dozen  natives  who  advanced  were  members  of  the  party  that 
had  captured  Dick  Brownell,  you  do  not  need  anything  more  in  the  way  of 
description. 

But,  could  you  have  looked  upon  them  as  they  met  Jack  Harvey  and  Pongo, 
you  would  have  found  it  hard  to  believe,  even  with  such  hideously  ugly  faces,  that 
they  had  ever  done  anything  cruel  or  specially  bad.  So  far  as  it  is  possible  for 
Korahs  to  appear  innocent,  they  ,  ^..^^  pursuers  would  have  thought 

were  the  pictures  of  innocence.       ^  m^^M^^^     **  unJust  to  suspect  them. 
Had  not  the  trail  of  Dick  Brow- 
Hell  led  directly  to  this  spot,  his 


N 


THE  PARLEY. 


Before  anything  more  than  a  salutation  could  take  place  between  the  parties, 
the  Texan  seized  one  of  those  opportunities  which,  slight  of  themselves,  still  have 
an  important  bearing  on  impending  events. 

A  large  bird  was  circling  overhead,  as  if  waiting  a  chance  to  swoc^  down  and 
secure  some  of  the  waste  food  near  the  huts.  It  was  sailing,  with  its  wings  out- 
spread, at  considerable  height,  but,  knowing  what  he  could  do,  Jack  brought  his 
gun  to  his  shoulder,  and,  taking  a  quick  aim,  brought  it  tumbling  to  the  earth. 

His  object  was  to  impress  the  natives  with  the  power  of  the  weapons  in  the 
hands  of  himself  and  friends.  No  doubt  they  had  heard  of  them,  but  it  was  well  to 
enlighten  their  minds. 

There  could  be  no  doubt  of  the  success  of  the  stratagem,  the  expressions  on  the 


AT   THE    VILLAGE.  285 

faces  of  the  Africans  showing  their  wonderment  and  awe  too  plainly  to  be 
mistaken. 

"What  does  he  say  ?  "  asked  Jack  of  Pongo,  who  bowed  his  head  in  recognition 
of  something  just  uttered  by  the  leader  of  the  six,  upon  whom  and  the  white  men 
the  women  and  children  of  the  little  settlement  were  gazing  with  wondering 
curiosity. 

"He  says  he  is  glad  to  welcome  their  brothers  from  over  the  sea,  and  hopes 
they  will  always  live  with  him." 

"  That's  about  the  size  of  the  usual  lie  a  civilized  person  tells,  when  some  one 
calls  that  he  don't  want  to  see.  Well,  Pongo,  it  won't  do  to  slight  him  by  telling  a 
yarn  any  smaller  than  his.  Say  that  that's  just  what  we've  been  dying  to  do  ever 
since  we  were  born ;  that  we've  called  to  see  what  arrangements  we  can  make,  and 
that  we  love  all  the  Korahs  here  enough  to  eat  them." 

The  Bushman  indulged  in  a  faint  smile  and  shook  his  head ;  that  kind  of  a 
response  would  not  do. 

"Well,  you  know  about  what  should  be  said ;  I'll  leave  it  to  you." 

Thereupon  Pongo  turned  about  and  exchanged  several  sentences  with  his 
countrymen,  who  were  evidently  surprised  to  see  one  of  their  own  number,  as  he 
might  be  called,  among  the  visitors. 

Turning  to  the  Texan,  the  Bushman  explained  that  what  had  passed  between 
him  and  the  Korah  leader  was  of  little  real  significance,  consisting  mainly  of  high- 
flown  compliments  and  protestations  of  friendship,  which  deceived  neither  party. 

"  I  guess  we  might  as  well  come  to  the  p'int,"  remarked  the  Texan,  glancing 
'round  at  Mr.  Godkin  and  Bob  for  their  approval ;  "vtell  them,  Pongo,  that  we  thank 
them  for  their  kindness  to  one  of  us,  and  we  have  come  to  take  him  back  to  our 
camp." 

The  three  whites  watched  the  countenance  of  the  leader  as  this  message  was 
interpreted  to  him. 

A  block  of  stone  could  not  have  been  more  expressionless.  Then,  when  the 
slow-speaking  Bushman  had  finished  what  he  had  to  say,  the  Korah  looked  up  and 
spoke  hastily  to  the  effect  that  neither  he  nor  any  of  his  people  had  ever  looked 
upon  a  white  person  until  that  day. 

"Tell  him  he's  a  liar  and  I'll  prove  it !  "  exclaimed  the  Texan, losing  his  temper. 

"  Go  slow,  Jack,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  soothingly  ;  "  we'll  be  as  resolute  as  neces- 
sary, but  you  know  that  sort  of  language  is  unparliamentary." 

"Say  to  him,  then,"  added  Jack,  "that  we  know  the  young  gentleman  is  here,— 
that  he  is  in  one  of  those  huts  over  yonder,  and  that  if  he  isn't  produced  p.  d.  q. 
—  I  mean  within  five  minutes  —  we'll  clean  out  this  whole  shebang." 

The  substance  of  which  was  duly  translated  to  the  spokesman  of  the  Korahs. 


CHAPTER  L. 

LIVE  LY     TIMES. 

the  eagerness  of  Jack  Harvey,  and  in  the  face  of  the  impression 
he  had  made  by  the  display  of  marksmanship,  the  Korah  spokesman  con- 
tinued to  parry  his  verbal  ruses,  with  a  temerity  that  surprised  Bob  and 
Mr.  Godkin. 

The  Texan  was  the  owner  of  a  fiery  temper  when  aroused,  and  more  than  once 
he  was  at  the  exploding  point.  When  he  rested  his  right  hand  on  one  of  his  revolv- 
ers, the  temptation  to  snatch  it  out  and  put  a  bullet  through  the  impudent  native 
was  almost  irresistible. 

It  would  have  been  in  keeping  with  the  old  hilarious  times,  had  he,  holding  a 
pistol  in  each  hand,  galloped  back  and  forth  among  the  huts,  firing  at  a  head 
wherever  it  appeared,  and  "  cleaning  out "  the  African  town  in  genuine  American 
border  style. 

But  his  fear  of  the  consequences  to  Dick  restrained  him.  Convinced  that  his 
young  friend  was  somewhere  in  that  little  hamlet,  he  was  yet  unable  to  locate  him, 
and  any  sudden  dash  on  his  part  might  precipitate  a  calamity  that  would  have 
been  beyond  remedy. 

While  Pongo  was  interpreting  the  utterances  that  were  rapidly  growing  heated, 
Mr.  Godkin  and  Bob  Marshall  allowed  not  a  syllable  to  escape  them.  More  than 
that,  the  young  man  was  searching  through  the  hamlet  with  his  eyes  for  some  clue 
that  would  tell  him  the  news  he  was  so  anxious  to  learn. 

"  Mr.  Godkin,"  he  suddenly  said  in  a  lower  voice,  "  I  believe  I  know  where 
Dick  is." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  asked  the  director. 

"  Did  you  notice  that  hut  in  front  of  which  these  six  wretches  were  standing 
when  we  rode  to  the  top  of  the  hill  ?  " 

"I  did." 

"  They've  got  Dick  in  there." 

"  What's  your  reason  for  thinking  so  ?  " 

"Jack  says  there  were  a  dozen  in  the  party;  here  are  only  half  a  dozen;  where 
are  the  rest  ?  " 

"  I  do  not  see  that  the  answer  to  that  question  involves  anything,  since  other 
natives  are  in  sight  and  they  may  be  among  them." 

"  But  there  are  several  in  that  same  hut,  where  these  were  standing.  They  are 
inside  and  are  trying  to  keep  out  of  view.  I  have  seen  their  faces  several  times  at 
the  door,  which  is  the  only  opening;  I  believe  Dick  is  in  there  and  they  are  holding 
him  prisoner,  so  that  he  dare  net  show  himself." 

t86 


LIVELY    TIMES. 


287 


This  was  only  a  startling  assertion,  but  the  director  more  than  half  believed 
Bob  was  right. 

"  I  can't  understand  it,"  he  said;  "those  people  have  the  reputation,  so  far  as  I 
have  heard,  of  being  on  fairly  friendly  terms  with  white  people." 

"But  Jack  saw  a  party  of  them  that  were  torturing  a  prisoner  to  death,  and  he 
shot  the  leader." 

"  I  don't  believe  they  were  Korahs,  though  they  corresponded  to  the  description. 
As  it  was,  it  was  not  a  white  man  they  meant  to  kill." 

"But  it  was  a  white  man  who  shot  their  leader " 

"  Hark ! "  interrupted  Mr.  Godkin,  referring  to  the  words  that  Jack  Harvey 
was  instructing  Pongo  to  The  fact  was  that  the 


translate    to 
chieftain. 


the     Korah 


Texan  could  control  him- 
self no  longer.  His  manner 
and  loud  tones  proved  it. 


"I  SAW  HIM  !  I  SAW  HIM  !  "  EXCLAIMED  BOB. 


"  Tell  the  old  scoundrel  that  I  know  the  young  man  is  in  one  of  the  huts,  and  il 
he  isn't  produced,  we'll  open  fire  right  off."  And  he  handled  his  Winchester  in  a 
most  suggestive  manner.  At  that  moment  an  exciting  incident  took  place. 

Bob  Marshall  still  had  his  eyes  on  the  hut,  at  whose  door  he  saw  the  swarthy 
faces  of  more  than  one  native  appear  and  vanish,  as  though  they  were  trying  to  keep 
watch  of  the  visitors  without  being  seen.  Suddenly  a  pale  countenance  was  thrust 
forward,  and  withdrawn  so  quickly  that,  had  not  Bob  been  looking  at  the  exact  spot, 
he  would  not  have  caught  the  glimpse  of  the  face. 

"f  saw  him  !  I  saw  him  /"  exclaimed  Bob. 

"Where?"  demanded  Jack,  turning  sharply  upon  him. 


288  LIVELY    TIMES. 

"Yonder,  in  that  hut !  He  looked  out,  and  they  drew  him  back  again,"  replied 
the  youth,  pointing  at  the  structure  which  he  had  been  watching  for  several  minutes. 

Without  waiting  for  further  questioning,  Jack  Harvey  wheeled  the  head  of 
Apache  toward  the  building,  and  speaking  a  single  word,  sent  him  flying  at  head- 
long speed  straight  for  the  prison  of  Dick  Brownell. 

"  We're  in  for  it  now  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Godkin;  "  come  on  and  look  out  for  their 
poisoned  spears." 

The  two,  accompanied  by  Pongo,  tore  away  at  a  furious  rate  after  their  leader. 
The  time  for  words  had  passed  and  that  for  hurricane  action  had  come. 

A  victory  is  often  gained  by  promptness  and  vigor,  when  a  moment's  hesitation 
would  be  fatal. 

The  half  dozen  Korahs  in  front  of  Jack  Harvey  were  stupefied  for  the  moment 
by  the  impetuous  rush  of  the  horsemen,  but  quickly  regained  their  senses,  and 
started  after  them  on  a  full  run,  brandishing  their  assagais  and  uttering  cries  of  rage. 

The  rush  of  the  mounted  men  carried  them  beyond  reach  of  their  pursuers  for 
the  moment,  but  directly  in  front  of  those  crowded  into  the  hut. 

Bob  Marshall  was  right;  Dick  Brownell  was  in  the  structure,  and,  despite  the 
fearful  risk  he  ran,  he  managed  to  catch  sight  of  his  friends.  Not  only  that,  but, 
with  a  daring  dash,  he  fought  his  way  to  the  door  and  reached  the  outside. 

Prompted  by  some  whim  which  cannot  be  fully  understood,  the  Korahs  had 
returned  ihe  lad  his  weapons  after  placing  him  within  the  hut  under  a  guard,  where 
they  impressed  upon  him  by  gesture  that  it  would  be  certain  death  to  try  to  escape, 
or  even  to  allow  his  friends  to  see  him. 

But  before  handing  the  revolver  back  to  him,  the  captors  had  rendered  it  harmless 
by  removing  the  charges.  Then,  as  he  dared  not  attempt  to  reload  it  in  their 
presence,  they  may  have  wanted  to  show  him  how  they  despised  any  demonstration 
on  his  part,  by  placing  his  weapons  in  his  possession  again. 

Dick  jammed  the  pistol  in  place,  and,  grasping  only  his  knife,  fought  his  way  to 
the  outside,  and  ran  with  might  and  main  to  meet  the  galloping  horsemen. 

But  his  situation  was  desperate.  The  Korahs  were  not  the  ones  to  stand  idle 
and  allow  a  prisoner  to  escape  in  that  manner. 

Despite  the  fact  that  the  four  horsemen  were  thundering  down  upon  the  hut, 
three  of  the  guards  started  in  hot  pursuit  of  the  boy,  thereby  running  straight 
toward  the  white  men,  who  would  soon  be  upon  them. 

One  of  them  was  fully  a  rod  in  advance  of  the  others  —  nigh  enough  to  raise  his 
javelin  to  hurl  with  unerring  aim  at  the  fugitive,  who,  in  his  haste,  could  not  lake 
time  to  glance  over  his  shoulder. 

But  everything  in  this  direction  was  under  the  eyes  of  the  rescuers.  Jack 
Harvey  was  expecting  something  of  the  kind,  and,  at  the  moment  the  savage  lifted 
his  right  arm  with  the  assagai,  he  threw  up  his  rifle. 

He  needed  but  a  second  to  make  his  aim  sure.  Before  the  Korah  could  launch 
his  poisoned  missile,  he  plunged  forward  on  his  face  with  a  rasping  screech,  as  the 
weapon  left  his  hand,  the  point  sticking  in  the  ground  a  few  feet  in  front  of  him. 


LIVELY    TIMES. 


289 


By  this 
time  Dick 
was  among 
his  friends 
Reaching 
downward, 
Bob  seized 
his  hand, 
and  with 
one  leap 
the  athlet- 
ic fellow 
vaulted 
upon  the 
back  of  the 
pony  in 
front  of  his 
cousin. 

"Off  with 
you!  "cried 
Jack  Har- 
vey, who 
saw  the 
maneuver 
and  shout- 
ed before  it 
was  fairly 
completed 
"don't  wait  a  single  minute," 

The  boys  would  have  preferred  to 
stay  and  help  their  fearless  friend,  but> 
when  he  spoke  in  such  tones',  no  one 
dared  disobey  him. 

Bob  wheeled  his  pony,  and,  heading 
for  the  point  which  seemed  most  free  of 
ft-  enemies,  put  the  animal  to  a  dead  run, 

he  and  Dick  leaning  as  far  over  on  his 

LIVELY  TIMES.  neck  as  possible,  to  avoid  the  fatal  mis- 

siles which  were  expected  to  descend  in 

a  shower.     But,  as  you  know,  none  of  the  Korahs  were  mounted,  and  a  brief  minute 
or  two  was  sufficient  to  carry  the  cousins  beyond  reach  of  the  fleetest-footed  pursuer. 
They  did  not  pause,  however,  until  more  than  safe,  when  Bob  drew  the  reir? 
and  turned  about  to  learn  how  went  the  battle. 
N 


2QO  LIVELY    TIMES. 

With  the  flight  of  the  boys,  all  occasion  for  the  men  to  linger  was  gone,  though 
Jack  Harvey  longed  to  open  on  the  savages  and  fight  them  single-handed. 

It  was  such  a  vivid  reminder  of  old  times  with  Geronimo,  Naiche  and  then 
Apaches,  that  the  impulse  was  well-nigh  resistless. 

But  Mr.  Godkin  kept  cool  and  devoted  all  his  energies  to  extricating  his  friend 
from  a  situation  wherein  it  looked  as  if  death  was  inevitable. 

"Get  away,  Jack  !"  he  shouted,  he  and  Pongo  being  a  considerable  distance 
behind  him  ;  "  they  will  fill  you  full  of  their  poisoned  assagais." 

The  Texan's  headlong  impetuosity  drew  the  whole  attention  of  the  Korahs,  for 
the  moment,  upon  him.  Mr.  Godkin  and  the  Bushman  were  safe.  All  they  had 
to  do  was  to  wheel  and  follow  the  lads.  But  they  could  not  desert  their  brave 
friend  in  his  extremity. 

At  the  moment  when  despair  was  in  the  heart  of  the  director,  and  while  Pongo 
was  balancing  one  of  his  boomerangs,  uncertain  at  which  particular  foe  to  launch 
it,  they  saw  Jack  go  forward  on  his  horse. 

"  He  is  killed  !  he  is  killed  !  "  moaned  Mr.  Godkin. 

"No ;  ain't  hurt  —  see  !  —  look  !  "  said  the  Bushrnan,  forgetting,  in  his  excite 
ment,  to  make  use  of  his  novel  weapon. 

The  Texan  had  wheeled  his  mustang  to  one  side  at  the  instant  he  threw  him 
self  forward,  and,  before  even  his  friends  suspected  his  purpose,  he  seized  a  Korah 
child  and  raised  it  in  front  of  his  body  as  a  shield. 

The  chief  uttered  a  cry  of  anguish ;  it  was  his  own  daughter,  and  he  read  the 
meaning  of  the  action. 

At  that  cry,  every  upraised  arm  was  lowered,  and  the  assagais  that  were  about 
to  be  hurled  at  the  body  of  the  brave  white  man  were  suspended  motionless. 

Jack  spoke  to  his  horse,  which  turned  in  the  direction  of  his  friends,  and  broke 
into  a  gallop.  The  intrepid  rider  leaned  over,  but  held  the  child  with  a  grip  of 
iron,  so  that  any  javelin  launched  at  him  was  certain  to  bury  itself  in  the  little  one's 
body. 

A  brief  ride,  and  the  safety  point  was  reached.  Then  Jack  slackened  the  pace 
of  his  mustang  and  gently  placed  the  unharmed  child  on  the  ground.  A  minute 
later  he  joined  his  friends. 

"  Dick,"  said  he,  sharply,  "  where  is  that  wagon-cover  ?  " 

"  I  left  it  in  the  hut,"  was  the  reply. 

"  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  don't  get  it  !  " 

And  before  any  one  could  prevent  him,  he  wheeled  about  and  dashed  back 
toward  the  native  village. 


CHAPTER  LI. 

THE  RHINOCEROS  HUNTERS. 

''HE  blood  of  the  Texan  was  roused,  and,  heedless  of  the  fearful  risk  he  ran, 
he  wheeled  his  mustang  and  sped  toward  the  native  village  on  a  dead  run. 
The  distance  was  short,  and  the  yell  which  he  sent  out  as  he  thundered 
down  the  slope  was  the  same  that  had  rung  through  the  mountain  gorges  of  Arizona 
when  charging  upon  the  dusky  marauders  of  the  border. 

The  Korahs  had  not  yet  recovered  from  the  panic  caused  by  the  rescue  of  the 
lad,  and  the  sight  of  the  white  man,  swinging  his  Winchester  over  his  head,  must 
have  made  them  think  the  whole  party  had  returned  to  attack  them.  They  scat- 
tered as  if  from  before  a  smoking  bombshell. 

Jack  headed  for  the  hut  from  which  Dick  Brownell  had  dashed  a  few  minutes 
before.  He  supposed  several  of  his  captors  were  still  there,  but  they  had  all  hurried 
forth  in  pursuit,  and  were  still  out  of  doors. 

A  native  woman  and  two  children  were  within,  and  when  the  white  man,  leaping 
from  his  saddle,  bounded  through  the  small  door,  they  were  transfixed  with  terror. 

Jack  saw  the  canvas  where  it  had  been  spread  in  one  corner,  probably  to  serve 
as  a  bed  for  some  of  the  inmates.  In  a  twinkling,  he  had  snatched  it  up,  ran  out, 
and  was  in  the  saddle  again. 

The  intelligent  mustang  needed  no  guidance.  Hardly  was  his  master  on  his 
back,  when  he  whirled  about  and  went  up  the  slope  like  a  whirlwind. 

There  really  was  no  peril  involved  in  the  act,  for  not  a  spear  or  arrow  was  sent 
after  the  Texan,  who  swung  the  fluttering  canvas  aloft,  and  uttered  a  shout  to  which 
his  waiting  friends  replied  with  a  delight  no  less  than  his  own. 

The  exploit  was  begun  and  ended  so  quickly,  that  it  was  over  before  the  bewil- 
dered natives  could  interfere.  But  for  the  stirring  events  immediately  preceding, 
the  charge  of  the  Texan  would  have  led  him  to  as  certain  death  as  if  he  had 
plunged  over  a  precipice  a  thousand  feet  high. 

Dick  Brownell  expected  a  rasping  like  the  scraping  of  a  lion's  tongue  over  the 
naked  hand,  for  the  part  he  had  played  in  the  business,  but  not  one  of  his  compan- 
ions uttered  a  word  of  reproof.  The  feeling  of  impatience  on  the  part  of  Jack 
Harvey  and  Mr.  Godkin  had  vanished  long  before,  and  they  were  too  grateful  for 
the  outcome  to  utter  any  words  except  those  of  gratulation. 

Then,  too,  Dick  could  not  be  made  to  regret  more  keenly  his  remissness  than  he 
now  lamented  it,  and  the  most  that  was  done  in  the  way  of  rebuke  was  a  smile  and 
shake  of  the  director's  head,  when  the  lad,  relating  his  story  at  the  request  of  his 
friends,  told  how  he  had  persisted  in  hunting  for  the  missing  canvas  until  by  mere 
accident  he  came  upon  it. 

291 


292  THE    RHINOCEROS    HUNTERS. 

Dick  said  that,  while  his  captors  offered  him  no  violence,  they  showed  an  ugly 
disposition  after  reaching  the  little  cluster  of  huts,  which  caused  him  much  mis- 
giving. The  whole  proceeding  was  such  a  daring  one  on  their  part  that  our  friends 
believed  they  meant  to  hold  the  lad  for  ransom.  They  thought  the  white  hunters 
wealthy,  for,  indeed,  they  had  considerable  possessions  with  them,  and  if  it  had 
proven  impossible  to  arrange  a  ransom,  it  is  likely  they  would  have  put  their  pris 
oner  to  death. 

The  first  thing  done  by  the  party  on  reaching  camp  was  to  restore  the  canvas 
coyer  to  its  proper  place  over  the  wagon.  It  had  been  the  cause  of  some  lively  work 
on  the  part  of  the  hunters,  and  more  than  once  it  had  looked  as  if  it  would  involve 
them  in  serious  difficulty,  but,  thank  Providence,  all  had  come  out  well. 

Diedrick  and  his  friends  took  good  care  of  the  camp  during  the  absence  of  the 
white  men,  but  the  anxiety  of  the  Hottentot  for  the  recapture  and  return  of  the 
missing  youth  led  him  to  venture  to  the  top  of  the  nearest  elevation,  where  he 
carefully  surveyed  all  the  country  in  his  field  of  vision. 

The  horsemen  were  not  in  sight,  but  he  observed  them  soon  after,  on  their  return, 
and  was  quick  to  discover  that  one  of  the  ponies  bore  two  riders.  That  was  enough, 
and  it  may  safely  be  said  that  none  rejoiced  more  heartily  over  the  rescue  of  Dick 
Brownell  than  did  his  African  friend. 

But,  while  the  native  was  scanning  the  country  on  all  sides,  he  made  a  discovery 
which  turned  the  excitement  of  his  employers  into  a  new  channel.  He  caught 
sight  of  an  animal,  at  no  great  distance,  in  the  tall  grass  along  the  river,  which  he 
believed  was  a  rhinoceros,  and,  since  Mr.  Godkin  had  announced,  but  a  short  time 
before,  that  he  was  ready  to  give  his  attention  to  that  species  of  game,  the  expecta- 
tion was  that  it  would  now  be  done  without  further  delay. 

Rhinoceros  hunting  is  attended  not  only  with  great  danger,  but  is  so  delicate 
and  difficult  that  many  a  failure  has  been  made  by  veteran  hunters  who  have  bagged 
all  other  kinds  of  game.  Before  telling  you  about  the  perilous  adventures  in  which 
our  friends  became  involved  on  the  afternoon  of  Dick  Brownell's  return  from  cap- 
tivity, I  must  give  you  some  idea  of  the  work  they  undertook. 

In  the  first  place,  there  are  four  varieties  of  rhinoceros  found  in  South  Africa 
They  are  known  as  the  borele,  or  black  rhinoceros,  the  keitloa,  or  two-horned  black 
species,  the  mochocho,  or  ordinary  white  rhinoceros,  and  the  kobaoba,  or  long-horned 
white  rhinoceros.  The  black  species  is  smaller  than  the  others,  but  is  ten-fold 
fiercer  and  more  dangerous. 

The  Asiatic  rhinoceros  is  smaller  than  the  African,  has  his  hide  in  looser  folds, 
and  two  of  the  species  have  but  a  single  horn. 

The  square-nosed  white  rhinoceros  is  the  largest  known.  He  is  not  white  in 
color,  but  shows  a  dirty  resemblance  to  that  hue.  They  have  been  found  eighteen 
feet  in  length,  and  I  have  known  them  to  be  with  a  circumference  still  greater. 

Set  not  in  the  bone,  but  in  the  skin  of  its  blunt  nose,  is  the  horn,  sharp,  hard, 
curved,  and  more  than  a  yard  long.  Just  behind  this  is  a  smaller  horn,  but  equally 
sharp  and  hard. 


THE    RHINOCEROS    HUNTERS. 


293 


The  eyes  of  the  beast  are  very  small,  its  ears  are  long,  and  tipped  with  scrubby 
bristles,  and  its  sense  of  hearing  and  smell  is  so  acute  that  it  is  almost  useless  for 
a  hunter  to  approach  him  from  the  windward.  Besides  this,  despite  its  enormous 
bulk  (the  rhinoceros  ranks  next  to  the  elephant  in  size),  he  is  so  swift  of  foot  that  it 
takes  an  unusually  good  steed  to  overtake  him. 

The  long-horned  white  rhinoceros  is  the  rarer  of  the  two  and  is  found  tar  in  the 
interior  and  mainly  to  the  eastward  of  the  Limpopo.  Many  of  them  have  horns 
four  feet  in  length,  curving  forward,  while  the  horn  of  the  mochocho  bends  backward 
and  is  rarely  more  than  two-thirds  the  length  of  the  other.  A  survey  of  the  head 
and  front  of  one  of  these  creatures  will  satisfy  you  that  he  holds  the  championship 
For  ugliness  in  the  way  of  looks. 


RHINOCEROS  OF  INDIA. 

The  Javanese  rhinoceros  is  not  so  bulky  as  the  Indian  species,  and  has  longer 
legs.  It  is  mischievous,  but  less  dangerous  than  those  I  have  named. 

When  I  add  that  the  rhinoceros  is  nocturnal  in  his  habits,  that  he  is  a  terrible 
fighter  when  aroused,  and  that  he  has  one  of  the  most  alert  of  small  birds  to  warn 
him  of  danger,  you  will  admit  there  are  many  obstacles  to  success  in  hunting  him 

The  point  where  Pongo  and  Diedrick  had  located  the  game  was  fully  a  mile  to 
the  northward  of  the  camp,  and  at  no  great  distance,  therefore,  from  the  elevation 
which  was  used  as  an  observatory  on  the  first  arrival  of  our  friends  in  this  section. 

They  had  not  seen  the  beast  distinctly,  but  it  seemed  to  have  been  aroused  by 
thirst  and  was  pushing  its  way  through  the  tall  grass  from  the  river  to  its  resting- 
place  during  the  day-time. 


294  THE    RHINOCEROS    HUNTERS. 

There  was  enough  uneasiness  over  the  Korahs  to  make  Mr.  Godkin  unwilling  to 
leave  the  camp  without  full  protection.  The  natives  might  feel  revengeful  enough 
to  watch  for  some  chance  for  stealthy  work,  while  afraid  to  attack  openly. 

The  director,  therefore,  decided  that  he  and  Pongo  would  stay  behind,  leaving 
the  cousins  and  Jack  Harvey  to  prosecute  the  hunt  with  only  Diedrick  as  their  com- 
panion. These  four  knew  enough  of  the  nature  of  the  animals  to  render  unneces- 
sary any  instructions  or  hints.  Mr.  Godkin  said  he  would  accompany  them  on  the 
morrow,  leaving  the  inference  that  he  had  no  faith  in  their  meeting  with  success 
before  that  time. 

The  preparations  for  the  hunt  were  quickly  completed.  The  air  had  grown 
quite  warm,  but  enough  coolness  remained  from  the  storm  of  the  night  before  to 
render  the  day  one  of  the  finest  experienced  since  entering  that  section. 

Jack  Harvey,  I  need  not  say,  carried  his  lasso  with  him,  though  there  was  little 
probability  of  any  chance  for  its  use.  Bob  Marshall  had  borrowed  the  glass  of  Mr. 
Godkin,  for  that  was  likely  to  do  them  service. 

The  first  proceeding  was  to  ride  to  the  elevation  from  which  the  two  natives  had 
seen  what  they  believed  was  the  rhinoceros.  Diedrick  remembered  the  exact  spot 
and  at  once  turned  his  keen  eyes  in  that  direction. 

He  was  gazing  toward  a  portion  of  the  broad  stream  which  swept  by  the  camp, 
and  between  him  and  the  water  was  a  growth  of  grass,  taller  and  denser  than  that 
which  had  sheltered  the  baboons,  and  spread  over  a  much  greater  area  of  territory. 

It  was  near  the  middle  of  this  that  the  natives  discerned  some  large  animal 
moving,  which  they  believed  was  a  rhinoceros,  though  the  view  was  too  indistinct 
for  them  to  be  certain. 

Every  eye  followed  the  course  Diedrick  pointed  out,  and  the  glass  was  freely 
used,  but  nothing  could  be  discovered  of  the  animal,  though,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
there  were  many  places  where  a  score  of  such  beasts  might  have  been  concealed 
beyond  detection.  It  was  the  fact  that  the  brute  was  in  motion  which  had  revealed 
it  to  the  African,  who  happened  to  look  at  the  point  when  not  scanning  the  plain 
for  his  absent  friends. 

"  There's  only  one  thing  to  do,"  said  Dick  Brownell.  "  We  have  set  out  to  hunt 
for  a  rhinoceros,  and  we  have  got  to  hunt  him.  We  haven't  reason  to  believe  he 
means  to  hunt  us" 

"  I  don't  suppose  he  is  a  great  way  from  where  he  was  seen,"  remarked  Bob, 
"for  he  won't  move  around  much  until  night-time." 

"Come  ahead,"  said  Jack  Harvey,  giving  rein  to  his  horse;  "we'll  go  straight 
for  the  spot,  and  we'll  know  inside  of  half  an  hour  whether  the  critter  is  there  or 
not." 


CHAPTER  LII. 

THE    BUPHAGA    AFRICANA. 

'HE  well-mounted  hunters  had  but  a  comparatively  short  distance  to  ride, 
when  they  dashed  into  the  tall  grass,  amid  which  grew  a  great  deal  of  the 
native  rice,  of  which  the  hippopotamus,  as  well  as  the  rhinoceros,  is  so  fond. 
The  ponies,  of  necessity,  slackened  their  pace,  for,  knowing  how  quick  the  big 
game  is  to  detect  danger,  the  time  had  come  for  the  exercise  of  extreme  caution. 

Conscious  that  the  proceedings  had  now  reached  a  stage  in  which  the  Hottentot 
was  the  most  competent  director,  Jack  Harvey  fell  to  the  rear  with  the  boys,  all 
preserving  silence,  and  the  three  keeping  sharp  watch  of  their  native  leader. 

All  at  once,  Diedrick  raised  his  hand  as  a  signal  for  the  others  to  halt.  Although 
they  saw  nothing,  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  he  had  detected  something  im- 
portant. 

Just  in  front,  the  grass,  which  was  five  or  six  feet  in  height,  became  more  dense 
and  abundant.  The  party  could  see  but  a  short  distance,  and,  of  course,  it  was 
beyond  the  power  of  the  native  to  discern  anything  that  was  not  manifest  to  his 
friends. 

Several  minutes  passed,  during  which  all  were  silent  and  listening.  Diedrick 
then  turned  and  explained  that,  while  he  saw  nothing,  he  was  of  the  belief  that 
more  than  one  of  the  animals  was  close  to  them.  A  gentle  wind  was  blowing  from 
that  point,  which  was  fortunate  for  the  hunters,  since,  were  the  direction  different, 
the  sagacious  beast  would  be  quick  to  scent  his  danger. 

Diedrick  proposed  that  he  and  one  of  the  boys  should  make  a  circuit,  which 
would  take  them  around  to  a  point  a  half  mile  away.  Then,  if  any  rhinoceros  was 
between  the  parties,  he  would  discover  his  danger  and  make  off  toward  those  in 
waiting,  who,  if  they  used  ordinary  discretion,  would  gain  a  chance  of  bringing 
down  some  of  the  gigantic  game. 

This  understanding  was  scarcely  reached  when  a  small  bird  suddenly  rose  from 
the  grass  at  a  distance  of  less  than  a  hundred  yards,  and,  darting  straight  up  in  the 
air,  gave  utterance  to  a  sharp  peculiar  note,  that  could  be  heard  a  long  way  off. 

The  Hottentot  muttered  impatiently  in  his  own  language  as  he  faced  about  to 
explain  the  cause  of  his  anger. 

The  bird,  which  had  just  risen,  was  the  buphaga  africana,  or  rhinoceros  bird, 
the  most  devoted  and  faithful  friend  of  the  rhinoceros.  It  constantly  attends  the 
beast,  feeding  on  the  insects  which  infest  its  muddy  hide.  While  thus  employed,  it 
is  on  the  lookout  for  enemies  of  the  animal.  The  instant  it  detects  the  approach  of 
the  hunter,  it  flies  above  the  beast,  uttering  the  sharp  cries  which  he  understands 
at  once. 


296 


THE    BUPHAGA    AFRICANA. 


Many  hunters  claim  that  if  the  rhinoceros  happens  to  be  asleep   when  danger 
appears,  the  little  friend  will  peck  the  inside  of  his  ears  until  he  awakens. 


"HE  CAUGHT  SIGHT  OF  THE  VAST  BEAST." 


In  the  present  instance  the  party 
had  come  almost  upon  one  of  the 
animals  without  suspecting  it.  In- 
deed, the  advance  was  so  cautious 
that  the  vigilant  bird  did  not  dis- 
cover them  until  it  was  almost  too 
late;  but  it  made  up  for  its  remiss- 
ness.  It  did  not  rise  more  than  fifty 
feet  from  the  ground,  when  it  descended  and  circled  about  in  great  excitement,  all 
the  time  emitting  the  cries  of  warning.  The  horsemen  could  not  see  the  rhi- 
noceros, but  he  was  plainly  heard  as  he  went  crashing  through  the  grass  with  a 
speed  which  the  best  steed  would  find  it  hard  to  surpass  when  impeded  by  the 
luxuriant  vegetation. 

"  Let's  dash  into  the  grass  and  charge  upon  him,"  proposed  Dick,  when  told 
that  they  were  so  close  to  the  brute.  But  the  Texan  shook  his  head. 

"  The  fellow  can  travel  faster  than  we,  and  that  bird  will  keep  him  warned  all 
the  while.  BO  we  won't  get  within  gun-shot  of  him." 

"Then  we  might  as  well  turn  back  and  give  up,"  said  Bob;  and  I  should  like 
to  know  what  warrant  we  had,  in  the  first  place,  to  expect  any  success  in  hunting 
rhinoceroses  ?  " 

"  Others  have  brought  them  down  ;  therefore  we  may  succeed.  It  isn't  every 
rhinoceros  that  is  furnished  with  such  a  bird  to  give  warning  when  danger  threatens. 
Let  us  hear  what  Diedrick  has  to  propose. " 

The  Hottentot  made  known  that  he  and  the  parties  whom  he  conducted  through 
the  grass  and  jungles  had  often  been  baffled  in  the  same  manner  by  the  vigilance 
of  the  little  bird,  but,  where  the  hunters  numbered  three  or  four,  he  had  succeeded 
in  outwitting  the  feathered  sentinel  by  a  simple  device. 


THE    BUPHAGA    AFRICANA.  2Q7 

What  he  suggested,  as  I  have  said,  was  that  while  two  of  the  company  stayed 
where  they  were,  the  others  should  carefully  work  around  to  the  opposite  side  of 
the  game,  and  thus  induce  it  to  flee  toward  those  in  waiting. 

This  appeared  to  promise  success,  though  it  was  apparent  to  all  that  nothing 
of  the  kind  could  be  assured,  since  it  was  not  likely  to  be  an  easy  task  to  reach  the 
point  without  alarming  the  beast,  and,  furthermore,  it  would  be  hard  to  drive  him 
toward  the  hunters  in  waiting.  The  whole  scheme,  it  may  be  said,  was  based  on 
very  uncertain  conditions,  but,  as  it  was  the  best  that  presented  itself,  it  was  adopted 
at  once. 

The  arrangement  was  that  Diedrick  and  Bob  Marshall  should  attempt  the 
difficult  task  of  reaching  a  point  on  the  other  side  of  the  rhinoceros,  while  Jack  and 
Dick  should  stay  where  they  were,  with  the  expectation,  or  rather  hope,  that  the 
game  would  thus  be  forced  within  reach  of  their  guns. 

Accordingly  the  two  friends  named  turned  their  horses'  heads  to  the  right  and 
began  the  long  circuit,  which  sober  second  thought,  as  it  struck  Bob,  convinced 
him  was  more  likely  to  fail  than  to  succeed. 

The  grass  continued  abundant,  and  in  some  places  it  was  no  light  work  for  the 
animals  to  force  their  way  through.  Diedrick  rode  a  short  distance  in  advance, 
leaning  forward  and  peering  right  and  left,  like  an  Indian  trying  to  steal  his  way 
through  an  enemy's  lines. 

The  route  taken  by  the  Hottentot  was  considerably  more  than  half  a  mile.  The 
sameness  of  their  surroundings  prevented  Bob  from  keeping  the  points  of  the  com- 
pass clear,  but  the  slight  breeze  blowing  enabled  him  to  tell  when  the  final  turn 
was  made,  and  they  were  advancing  straight  toward  their  friends  whom  they  had 
left  behind. 

As  I  have  already  said,  there  were  uncertain  conditions  involved  in  the  problem 
which  the  two,  or  rather  the  native  himself,  had  undertaken  to  solve.  It  was  likely 
that  the  rhinoceros,  when  he  was  warned  by  the  bird,  plunged  through  the  grass  to 
the  right  or  left,  so  that  he  was  not  between  Lje  divisions  of  the  party. 

But  Diedrick  was  hopeful  that,  if  he  wa3  not  there,  others  were,  which  would 
answer  as  well.  After  penetrating  a  short  distance,  he  suggested  to  the  boy  that 
they  separate  for  a  brief  space,  inasmuch  as  they  would  be  more  likely  to  drive  out 
the  game. 

This  was  done,  and  the  success  was  surprising  and  speedy.  All  at  once  the 
buphaga  africana  uttered  its  piercing  note,  fluttered  excitedly  to  view,  gyrating 
about  as  though  caught  in  a  whirlwind,  and  proving,  beyond  question,  that  the 
enormous  game  was  at  hand. 

As  it  was  immediately  in  front  of  Bob  that  the  bird  rose,  he  knew  he  was  near 
one  of  the  beasts.  He  spurred  his  horse  forward  and  stood  up  in  the  stirrups  so 
as  to  gain,  if  possible,  a  view  of  the  quadruped. 

He  could  see  the  swaying  grass,  and  a  second  later  he  cau  t  sight  of  the  vast 
back,  like  a  shoal  of  dried  mud,  as  it  swung  ponderously  through  the  vegetation. 
The  legs  of  the  rhinoceros  are  so  short  that  a  tall  man  can  stand  beside  him  and 


2g8  THE    BUPHAGA    AFRICANA. 

look  over  his  back,  and  it  is  curious  how  such  a  bulky  mass  can  attain  so  great 
speed. 

Nothing  inspires  a  sportsman  with  courage  so  much  as  the  sight  of  his  fleeing 
game,  and  Bob  urged  his  horse  to  do  his  best.  The  steed  did  not  need  spurring, 
but,  with  a  snort  of  excitement,  galloped  forward. 

When  the  lad  caught  sight  of  the  huge  animal  again,  he  could  hardly  restrain 
his  excitement. 

"  We've  got  him  !  "  he  called  out ;  "let's  shoot  him  ourselves  !  the  others  can 
wait ;  we  have  earned  the  best  right  to  the  fellow.  Ride  fast  and  he  won't  get 
away  from  us  !  " 

Bob  ceased  his  appeals,  for,  in  looking  about,  he  failed  to  see  the  Hottentot 
from  whom  he  had  separated  only  a  few  minutes  before.  He  wondered  how  it  was 
he  had  disappeared  so  quickly,  but  it  was  no  time  to  inquire,  and  he  kept  his  horse 
at  his  best  pace,  fired  by  the  thrilling  thought  that  it  might  be  his  good  fortune  to 
bring  down  the  royal  game  without  the  help  of  any  one. 

Diedrick  had  vanished,  and  it  was  a  long  run  before  the  beast  would  pass  within 
range  of  the  other  party,  if,  indeed,  he  did  so  at  all.  Bob  let  the  reins  lie  loose  on 
his  horse's  neck,  while  he  held  his  rifle  ready  to  fire  whenever  the  proper  moment 
should  come. 

The  conduct  of  the  little  bird  was  not  without  interest.  Having  got  its  bulky 
friend  on  the  run,  it  ascended  still  higher  in  air,  and  ceased  its  cries,  as  though 
content  to  view  the  chase  from  that  elevation.  When,  however,  the  rhinoceros 
held  up  for  a  few  moments,  as  if  to  take  its  bearings,  the  bird  shot  downward 
again,  uttering  such  piercing  warnings  that  the  beast  plunged  forward  with  renewed 
speed. 

About  this  time  Bob,  even  when  in  the  flush  of  his  newly-formed  ambition, 
became  aware  of  the  unpleasant  fact  that  he  was  not  gaining  upon  the  game.  The 
rhinoceros,  perhaps  on  account  of  its  vastly  superior  weight,  crushed  through  the 
obstructions  with  greater  speed  than  did  the  lighter  and  more  graceful  horse. 

The  sight  of  the  laboring  beast  kept  hope  alive  in  the  breast  of  Bob,  who  did 
not  spare  his  animal,  but,  strive  as  he  might,  he  could  not  lessen  the  space  between 
them. 

"  You  shan't  get  away  without  receiving  something  to  remember  me  !  "  exclaimed 
the  disappointed  boy,  bringing  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder. 

He  had  learned  to  fire  from  the  back  of  his  horse  when  on  a  gallop,  and  he  was 
confident  his  aim  was  true  at  the  moment  he  pulled  trigger.  Most  probably  he 
struck  the  rhinoceros,  but,  if  so,  the  animal  gave  no  evidence  of  it.  Like  a  loco- 
motive, he  seemed  to  have  gotten  up  steam,  and  he  went  crashing  and  plunging 
onward,  as  though  he  would  bear  down  a  tree  or  any  obstruction  in  his  path. 

"  I  don't  know  •-  hether  he  has  taken  the  right  course  or  not,"  muttered  Bob, 
drawing  his  horse  _own  to  a  walk,  and  then  checking  him  altogether  ;  "  but,  if  he 
has,  and  runs  into  Jack  and  Dick,  he  will  conclude  he  made  a  mistake  in  not  staying 
here  and  having  it  out  with  me." 


THE    BUPHAGA    AFRICANA. 


299 


For  a  minute  or  two  longer  he  could  hear  the  animal  tearing  through  the  grass, 
though  nothing  could  be  seen  of  him,  nor  could  the  eye  follow  his  course.  Even 
the  alarm-bird  was  not  visible,  and  Bob  could  not  help  suspecting  that  the  little 
sentinel  had  settled  down  to  rest,  under  the  belief  that  no  danger  threatened  its 
gigantic  friend 


CHAPTER  LIII. 

TURNING     THE    TABLES. 

OB  MARSHALL  was  a  sorely  disappointed  boy,  though  it  must  be  admitted 
that  youngsters  in  that  state  are  lound  in  every  part  of  the  world.  His 
chagrin  was  that  of  the  lad  who  sees  a  prize  slip  from  his  grasp  at  the 
moment  he  is  closing  his  fingers  upon  it. 

There  was  a  brief  space  of  time  when  he  was  sure  he  was  going  *o  oring  down 
the  rhinoceros  without  the  assistance  of  any  one  ;  and,  had  he  succeeded  in  doing 
so,  it  would  have  been  an  exploit  of  which  he  could  have  boasted  for  the  rest  of 
his  life.  But  he  was  too  much  of  a  philosopher  to  lament  over  that  which  could 
not  be  helped. 

"  I  wonder  whether  the  old  fellow  won't  find  out  that  a  party  is  waiting  in 
ambush  for  him,  and  turn  about  and  come  back  for  me  :  if  he  does,  I'll  get  a  chance 
after  all.  But  I  suppose  the  bird  will  see  the  danger  and  will  go  to  chattering  and 
screaming  again.  He  will  think  it  is  I,  and  will  take  a  header  right  in  among 
them.  What  can  have  become  of  Diedrick  1  —  helloa  !  what's  the  matter  with  my 
horse  ?  —  my  gracious  ! 

There  were  few  times  in  llie  life  of  Bob  that  he  received  such  a  shock  as  he  did 
at  that  moment.  Hearing  a  movement  in  the  grass  behind  him,  he  turned  his  head, 
just  as  his  horse  began  to  show  restlessness,  and  saw  a  second  rhinoceros  fully  as 
large  as  the  other,  and  not  twenty  yards  distant. 

It  was  certainly  extraordinary  that  he  could  have  ridden  so  close  to  the  game 
without  its  being  detected,  either  by  his  steed  or  himself,  but  such  was  the  fact, 
partly  due,  no  doubt,  to  the  concentration  of  the  attention  of  boy  and  animal  on  the 
fleeing  beast. 

The  rhinoceros  that  had  just  introduced  himself  was  of  prodigious  size,  and 
seemed  of  a  milk-white  color,  though  its  hue  was  mainly  due  to  the  coating  of  dried 
clay  that  covered  its  entire  body.  Inasmuch  as  no  buphaga  africana  was  seen  or 
heard  giving  warning  to  the  beast  of  impending  peril,  it  is  to  be  presumed  that 
the  second  specimen  was  not  furnished  with  such  a  valuable  body-guard. 

Another  striking  difference  between  the  two  creatures  was  that  the  second  did 
not  show  any  of  the  timidity  displayed  by  the  first.  Though  he  saw  the  horse  and 
rider,  and  in  his  dim,  instinctive  fashion  must  have  comprehended  that  they  meant 
business  of  the  most  serious  character,  yet  he  made  no  attempt  to  flee  or  get  beyond 
rifle-shot. 

When  Bob  faced  about,  the  beast  was  standing  motionless,  looking  at  him  and 
his  horse  as  if  to  ask  them  their  errand.  The  boy  could  not  help  wondering  at  the 
enormous  bulk  of  the  rhinoceros,  which  resembled  an  immense  hogshead  supported 

300 


TURNING    THE    TABLES. 


3OI 


on  four  short  posts.     As  for  its  head,  with  the  two  curving  horns  over  its  nose,  it 
was  ugly  beyond  description.     Its  very  repulsiveness  was  enough  to  make  one  run 
But  Bob  felt  the  old  thrill,  when  he  ran  his  eyes  over  the  monster,  and  realized 
that  the  very  chance  he  coveted  was  his. 
Here  was  the  rhinoceros,  and  with  no  one 
in  sight  to  rob  him  of  the  glory  of  "  bag- 
ging" him. 

Although  the  horse  was  naturally 
alarmed  when  confronted  by  such  a 
frightful-looking  enemy,  he  did  not  break 
away  in  a  panic,  as  an  untrained 


\ 


:\ 


animal  would  have 
done.  He  maintained 
his  ground,  though  his 
rider  felt  him  trem 
bling  like  an  aspen 
A  SUDDEN  ATTACK.  So  long  as  the  rhinoc- 

eros    approached    no 

closer,  he  would  not  flee,  but  at  the  first  advance  of  the  terrible  beast  the  steed 
v  puld  become  ungovernable. 


302  TURNING    THE    TABLES. 

The  two  enemies  stared  at  each  other  probably  for  less  than  a  single  minute, 
when  the  young  hunter  felt  it  incumbent  to  do  something.  He  could  ask  no  better 
opportunity,  as  he  thought,  and,  raising  his  gun,  sighted  at  the  aggregation  of  ugli- 
ness in  front  of  him,  and  let  fly. 

He  struck  the  rhinoceros  in  the  head,  though  it  may  be  doubted  whether  the 
beast  was  aware  of  the  fact.  He  would  have  aimed  at  the  eye  could  he  have  iden- 
tified the  little  orbs  clearly.  Just  as  he  fired,  a  cold  chill  ran  down  his  back.  He 
recalled  that  Diedrick,  in  talking  of  these  animals,  had  cautioned  his  friends  against 
shooting  at  their  heads,  since  it  was  almost  impossible  to  inflict  a  fatal  wound. 
The  proper  course  was  to  fire  into  the  side,  say  back  of  the  foreleg,  where  the  skin 
is  thin  and  a  vital  portion  can  be  reached. 

Almost  at  the  same  instant  that  the  gun  broke  the  stillness,  the  rhinoceros 
uttered  a  pig-like  grunt,  and  charged.  It  would  have  been  beyond  the  power  of 
the  youth  to  restrain  his  animal  had  he  wished  to  do  so ;  but  he  had  no  such  desire. 
He  and  his  steed  had  become  the  hunted  instead  of  the  hunters,  and  the  only  duty 
before  them  was  to  leave  that  particular  section  with  all  possible  haste. 

The  horse  made  a  terrific  leap  and  bounded  off  at  the  highest  bent  of  speed  ;  it 
was  by  no  means  certain  that  even  that  would  save  him. 

A  colder  shiver  than  before  swept  over  the  youthful  rider  when  he  recalled  the 
alarming  fact  that  the  first  rhinoceros  had  made  his  way  more  swiftly  through  the 
tall  grass  than  his  horse  was  able  to  do.  Bob  had  forced  the  animal  to  his  very 
best  pace,  and  yet  the  game  had  drawn  away  from  him  without  trouble. 

Why  could  not  the  second  beast  do  equally  well  ?  Aye,  why  not  ?  A  few  min- 
utes must  decide. 

And  so  they  did.  Bob  continually  glanced  behind  him,  and,  with  a  fear  that 
cannot  be  described,  he  saw  that  the  mountainous  brute,  which  was  bearing  savagely 
down  upon  him,  was  steadily  gaining  ground. 

The  Hottentot  was  not  in  sight :  the  rest  of  the  party  were  too  far  off  to  render 
assistance,  and  matters  certainly  wore  a  serious  look. 

It  was  useless  to  shout  to  or  urge  the  horse  :  he  was  inspired  by  the  most  pow- 
erful of  all  motives  —  a  mortal  fear  of  the  peril  that  was  bearing  down  upon  him. 
He  could  do  no  more  than  he  was  already  doing,  and  alas  !  for  the  noble  animal, 
that  was  insufficient  to  save  him. 

Had  Bob  Marshall  been  on  the  open  plain,  he  might  have  escaped,  for  there  are 
few  animals  which  in  fleetness  can  equal  a  well-trained  horse,  but  his  pony  was 
unaccustomed  to  the  grass,  which  was  scarcely  any  obstruction  to  the  massive 
rhinoceros.  It  was  hard,  too,  for  the  lad  to  know  that,  although  he  held  a  most 
excellent  magazine  rifle  in  his  hands,  it  was  practically  useless.  His  pursuer 
presented  no  vulnerable  point,  while  charging  upon  him  with  such  speed,  unless  it 
was  his  eye ;  and  though,  as  I  have  said,  the  lad  could  fire  quite  well  from  the 
back  of  his  steed,  he  was  incapable  of  such  marksmanship  as  was  now  required. 

He  made  several  flying  shots,  but,  it  may  be  doubted  whether  he  did  more  that 
graze  the  brute,  if  he  succeeded  even  in  doing  that. 


TURNING    THE    TABLES. 


303 


A  short  distance  only  was  ridden,  when  Bob  saw  that  his  pony  was  doomed. 
The  rhinoceros  was  not  only  gaining,  but  was  gaining  rapidly,  and  in  a  few  minutes 
would  overtake  the  steed. 

"  My  horse  must  go,"  he  thought,  "  and  it  looks  pretty  rough  for  me  ;  where  the 
mischief  can  Diedrick  be  ?  " 

A  few  minutes  later  the  pursuer  overhauled  the  fugitive. 

The  infuriated  rhinoceros  ran  his  snout  under  the  belly  of  the  horse,  and  Bob, 
feeling  something  strike  his  foot,  glanced  down.  The  point  of  the  terrible  horn  had 
passed  entirely  through  the  body  of  his  steed  and  touched  his  foot.  Freeing  his 
feet  from  the  stirrups,  the  lad  made  a  flying  leap,  landing  in  the  grass  and  falling 
upon  his  side  with  a  violence  that  stunned  him  for  a  few  seconds. 

During  that  time  he  heard  the  brief  but  furious  struggle  of  his  horse,  which 
speedily  became  still.  He  was  quickly  killed  by  his  savage  antagonist,  which  turned 
about  to  look  for  the  missing  rider. 

The  rhinoceros  was  much  closer  to  the  lad  than  was  pleasant  for  the  latter,  but 
there  was  a  chance  that  the  youth  would  not  be  seen.     He  was  lying  in  the  grass, 
his  gun  a  rod  distant,  and  praying 
that  he  might  escape  discovery. 

The  beast,  having  finished  his 
dreadful  work,  stood  still,  listen- 
ing  for  some  sound  that  would  tell 
where  the  presumptuous  youth  was 
that  had  dared  to  fire  a  gun  at  him. 
Had  Bob  made  the  least  noise 
the  rhinoceros  would  have  swept 
down  upon  him  like  an  avalanche. 
From  where  he  lay  he  could  see 
the  long,  clay-coated  body  of  the 
monster  close  to  the  ground,  look- 
ing like  a  locomotive  boiler  partly 
hoisted  in  position.  The  short, 
beam-like  legs  were  invisible,  but 
the  massive  head  was  uplifted  so 
that  it  was  on  a  line  with  the 
back.  The  ears  seemed  to  be 
tremulous  with  the  desire  to  catch 
^iiQ  coveted  sound  that  should  be- 
tray his  victim. 

it  need  not  be  said  that  Bob  made  no  noise.  He  had  shifted  his  position 
slightly,  so  that  he  was  lying  on  his  face,  his  hat  off,  his  body  flattened  close  to  the 
earth,  while  his  eyes  were  fixed  upon  his  dreaded  enemy. 

The  rhinoceros  stood  in  an  attitude  of  intense  attention  for  several  seconds. 
Then  t^e  ponderous  head  slowly  moved  part  way  to  the  left,  coming  gradually  back 


"  HE  SEES  ME." 


}04 


TURNING    THE    TABLES. 


again,  so  as  to  describe  a  semicircle.  He  was  so  close  to  Bob  while  making  this 
movement  that  the  youth  saw  distinctly  the  ugly-looking  red  lining  of  the  upper 
lip,  which  overhung  with  a  sharp  point  the  lower  jaw,  and  the  dark,  muddy  skin 
running  along  under  the  head  and  between  the  forelegs. 

When  the  enormous  bulk  swung  around  so  that  the  two  sword-like  horns  towered 
directly  above  the  boy,  the  mass  settled  to  rest  as  though  the  piggish  eyes,  up 
above,  had  detected  something  suspicious. 

"  He  sees  me,"  was  the  thought  of  Bob,  softly  drawing  in  his  feet  so  that  he 
would  be  ready  to  spring  up  and  dart  off. 

But,  if  the  rhinoceros  observed  the  lad,  he  ought  to  have  lowered  his  head,  so  as 
to  bring  his  eyes  in  position.  The  fact  that  he  did  not  do  so  led  the  youth  to  hope 
that  his  presence  remained  undetected. 

Finally,  when  the  head  had  described  its  partial  circle  and  settled  back  to  rest, 
the  point  of  the  hideous  snout  was  lowered  as  though  the  owner  believed  his  game 
had  escaped.  He  made  no  further  search,  but,  with  a  grunting  sniff,  moved  off 
through  the  grass. 

The  course  which  he  took  brought  him  still  nearer  Bob,  who  scarcely  breathed 
until  the  beast  lumbered  past  and  vanished  in  the  vegetation,  his  crashing  tread 
being  audible  for  several  minutes  afterward. 

Bob  dared  not  stir  until  sure  his  enemy  was  gone.  Then  he  rose  to  his  feet, 
And  hurriedly  recovered  his  rifle.  Thatfflfrnished,  he  walked  over  to  where  his  poor 
horse  lay. 

Tears  came  to  his  eyes  as  he  gazed  on  the  noble  animal,  or  rather,  on  what  had 
been  such  a  noble  animal,  for  there  was  no  breath  left  in  his  body.  A  hunter 
always  forms  a  strong  attachment  to  his  horse  or  dog,  and  cannc4-  look  upon  his 
ieath  without  a  pang. 

When  Bob  had  stood  several  minutes  in  silence,  he  stooped  ever  and  removed 
the  bridle  and  saddle. 

"  We  have  spare  horses,  but  alas,  my  faithful  pony,  none  ot  them  is  you,"  he 
muttered;  "  I'll  take  these  with  me." 

His  situation  was  not  the  most  pleasant  in  the  world,  for  he  dm  not  know  where 
his  friends  were,  and  was  afraid  of  making  any  outcry  or  signal  lest  he  should  bring 
^own  the  enraged  rhinoceros  from  which  he  had  barely  escaped  with  his  life. 

The  direction  of  the  wind  enabled  him  to  form  a  general  idea  of  the  proper 
course  to  reach  Jack  and  Dick.  He  tramped  through  the  tall  grass,  reflecting  on 
the  contrast  between  hunting  wild  game  and  being  hunted  yourself  by  the  wild 
game. 

As  the  Frenchman  observed,  "  It  iz  veree  fine  to  hunt  ze  tigare,  but,  when  ze 
tigare  hunts  you,  it  is  not  so  fine." 

"  I  would  like  to  get  another  shot  at  that  fellow,"  he  said,  half  tempted  to  turn 
about  and  hunt  for  him;  "but  there  don't  seem  much  use  of  pumping  bullets  into 
him  unless  you  reach  the  right  spot.  Hope  the  rest  of  the  folks  will  have  better 
luck  than  I." 


CHAPTER  LIV. 

A    LOST    HOT7ENTOT. 

jEANWHILE,  Jack  Harvey  and  Dick  Brownell  impatiently  awaited  the 
appearance  of  the  royal  game  which  Bob  and  Diedrick  expected  to  drive 
toward  them. 

"  I  don't  think  I'll  try  my  lasso  on  him,"  remarked  the  Texan,  after  they  had  sat 
some  minutes  in  silence. 

"  No;  he  is  one  of  the  few  animals  that  is  too  powerful  to  be  checked  by  the 
strongest  horse.  I  think  it  would  be  hard  work  tor  any  one  to  bring  him  to  a  halt. 
But  the  greatest  obstacle  in  the  way  of  success,  it  seems  to  me  is  that  plaguey 
little  bird  that  is  always  on  guard." 

"  There's  one  way  of  fixing  that." 

"How?" 

"  Shoot  the  thing,  if  it  won't  keep  its  clatter  still.  After  we  get  it  out  of  the 
way,  we  shall  have  some  chance.  I've  known  sportsmen  to  do  that  when  hunting 
the  rhinoceros." 

Dick  shook  his  head. 

"  That  strikes  me  as  wrong.  I  cannot  see  any  justification  for  killing  a  little 
bird  simply  because  it  warns  an  animal  of  danger." 

"  Is  it  any  more  wrong  than  shooting  the  animal  itself  ?  "  was  the  pertinent  query 
of  Jack;  "we  are  apt  to  forget  —  helloa  !  I  hear  something  ! " 

The  horses  became  restless,  but  they  were  so  well  trained  that  they  kept  their 
places  and  were  speedily  soothed.  The  rhinoceros  that  was  first  observed  had 
indeed  taken  the  back  trail,  and  was  heading  for  the  horsemen.  The  intervening 
grass  prevented  him  catching  sight  of  the  men  until  quite  close,  so  there  was  every 
chance  of  gaining  a  good  shot  at  the  beast. 

He  was  yet  some  distance  off,  pounding  through  the  vegetation,  when  the  little 
bird,  which  'aad  perched  itself  again  on  his  back,  made  the  alarming  discovery  that 
its  gigantic  patron  was  plunging  directly  into  the  danger  from  which  he  supposed 
he  was  fleeing.  Instantly  the  bird  shot  up  in  the  air,  circling,  uttering  its  wildest 
cries,  and  straining  every  nerve  to  apprise  the  rhinoceros  of  his  peril. 

But  the  situation  was  an  unfortunate  one  for  the  endangered  party.  He  knew, 
of  course,  that  his  enemies  were  near,  but,  as  he  last  saw  them  directly  behind  him, 
he  must  have  supposed  they  were  advancing  from  that  point. 

Accepting  the  warning  of  his  diminutive  friend,  therefore,  as  a  call  to  increase 
his  speed,  he  crashed  forward  until  he  found  himself  in  front  of  the  party  from 
which  he  supposed  he  was  fleeing.  Observing  the  horsemen,  he  stopped,  wheeled 
and  started  off  in  the  opposite  direction:  but  this  was  what  the  hunters  were  wait- 
so  305 


306  A    LOST    HOTTENTOT. 

ing  for.  Jack  Harvey  knew  the  proper  and,  indeed,  the  only  manner  in  which  the 
beast  should  be  shot,  and  he  and  Dick  fired  together. 

Struck  under  such  circumstances,  the  animal  could  not  fail  to  be  hit  hard.  He 
emitted  his  whiffing,  pig-like  grunt,  and  drove  furiously  through  the  grass  for  a  few 
steps,  when  he  lunged  forward,  plowing  up  the  earth  with  his  horned  nose,  and 
rolling  upon  his  side.  Then  the  mountainous  mass  lay  still. 

"  He  is  dead !  "  exclaimed  Dick,  in  no  little  excitement,  spurring  his  horse 
toward  him. 

"Be  careful !  "  admonished  Jack,  scarcely  behind  him;  "the  animal  sometimes 
pretends  he  is  dead,  like  the  'possum,  and  he  may  rip  up  your  horse  if  you  ride  too 
close." 

Thus  warned,  the  lad  sprang  to  the  ground  and  advanced  toward  the  carcass, 
his  friend  doing  the  same.  A  brief  scrutiny  convinced  them  that  the  game  was 
lifeless,  and  they  stepped  forward  to  make  a  closer  examination. 

"  That  is  curious,"  remarked  Dick,  after  inspecting  every  part  of  the  body;  "  I 
can't  find  a  wound  upon  it." 

"No,"  replied  the  Texan,  "there  is  none  to  be  seen,  unless  it's  on  the  other 
side;  and  the  only  way  to  decide  that  is  to  dig  a  pit  under  him,  for  he's  too  big  to 
roll  over." 

"  But  you  and  I  fired  from  his  left  side,  and  he  is  lying  on  his  right,  so  it  would 
seem  we  ought  to  see  the  wounds." 

Jack  laughed  as  he  added: 

"Each  hit  him  fairly." 

"Where,  then,  are  the  marks?" 

"Though  you  may  see  no  signs  of  them,  they  have  done  their  execution  all  the 
same.  If  the  carcass  was  turned  over  you  would  not  see  any  hurt  on  the  other 
side.  The  reason  is  that  the  skin  is  so  thick  and  flabby  that,  when  a  bullet  passes 
through  it  into  his  body,  the  skin  slides  over  and  covers  up  the  wound.  No  blood 
shows  itself,  even  though  the  beast  is  mortally  wounded,  for  he  bleeds  to  death 
inwardly." 

Dick  laughed,  for  he  had  forgotten  a  fact  that  had  once  been  familiar  to  him. 

"I  ought  to  have  remembered  that,"  he  said,  adding:  "Well,  we  have  brought 
down  our  game,  and  from  the  sounds  of  the  guns,  I  shouldn't  be  surprised  to  learn 
that  Diedrick  and  Bob  have  been  equally  fortunate." 

At  that  moment  a  familiar  voice  was  heard  calling: 

"Helloa,  fellows  !  where  are  you?" 

"  This  way,  Bob  !     What's  up  ?  " 

"  I'm  all  right,"  was  the  reply,  "  but  I  have  lost  my  horse." 

"  Lost  his  horse,"  replied  the  astonished  Dick  ;  "  how  could  that  have  hap- 
pened?" 

"  Maybe  it  run  away  from  him,"  suggested  Jack,  who  raised  his  voice  and  shouted: 
"  How  came  you  to  lose  him,  Bob  ?  " 

"  A  rhinoceres  killed  him." 


A    LOST    HOTTENTOT. 

There  was  no  mistaking  that  answer,  and  once  more  the  two  looked  at  each  other 
with  something  like  consternation. 

The  loss  of  a  horse  was  a  grievous  one,  but  considerably  less  so  than  the  loss 
of  the  owner  of  the  horse  would  have  been. 

"Where  is  Diedrick?  "  shouted  Dick.     "  I've  lost  him,  too." 

Before  his  friends  could  ask  the  meaning  of  this  alarming  declaration,  Bob 
explained  that  they  had  become  separated,  and  he  did  not  know  where  to  look  for 
the  Hottentot. 

It  followed  that  it  was  hard  work  for  Bob  to  pick  his  way  through  the  grass, 
which  offered  such  obstruction  to  the  animals,  and  the  party  rode  toward  him.  The 
youths  frequently  called  to  each  other,  and  in  this  way  approached  in  a  direct  line. 
In  the  course  of  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  the  figure  of  the  lad  was  discerned  labor- 
ing forward  under  the  Burden  of  his  heavy  rifle  and  the  saddle  and  bridle  of  his 
dead  horse. 

All  were  so  glad  to  s«e  him  alive  and  well  that  the  loss  of  his  steed  seemed  a 
small  matter,  since  they  had  extra  animals. 

Bob  told  his  thrilling  story,  and  Dick  gave  an  account  of  what  had  befallen 
them  since  the  separation.  It  was  then  arranged  that  the  saddle  and  bridle  should 
be  secured  upon  the  horse  of  Jack  —  that  is,  merely  for  the  purpose  of  being  carried 
as  a  part  of  the  luggage  of  the  party,  while  Bob  himself  should  mount  behind  Dick. 

It  need  not  be  said  that  his  seat  was  lacking  in  comfort,  but  he  could  support 
himself  very  well  by  throwing  one  arm  about  his  friend,  who  sat  securely  in  the 
saddle,  besides  which  the  cousins  could  exchange  situations  whenever  they  chose. 

The  question  now  was  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  the  Hottentot.  He  had  van- 
ished so  suddenly,  and  kept  out  of  sight  so  persistently,  that  the  boys  were  afraid 
some  accident  had  befallen  him.  The  Texan,  however,  felt  little  anxiety  on  his 
account. 

"  He  understands  the  country  and  himself  well  enough  to  pull  through  any 
scrape  he  is  likely  to  run  into,"  said  the  Texan. 

The  boys  wished  they  could  share  the  faith  of  Jack  Harvey,  but  were  unable 
to  do  so. 


CHAPTER  LV. 

DIEDRICK'S  VICISSITUDES. 

afternoon  was  wearing  away,  and  the  three  friends  were  in  doubt  whether 
to  wait  in  the  hope  of  being  joined  by  Diedrick,  or  return  to  camp  and  leave 
him  to  take  care  of  himself. 

Bob  and  Dick  were  opposed  to  anything  like  a  desertion  of  their  friend,  who 
might  really  be  in  need  of  help.  The  question  was  still  undecided,  when  the  three 
heard  the  report  of  a  rifle  from  the  direction  of  the  grass  beyond  them. 

"That's  his  gun  !"  exclaimed  Bob;  "he's  all  right." 

"I  hope  he  is,"  said  Dick,  "but  I  don't  know  as  there  is  any  noticeable  differ- 
ence between  the  noise  made  by  guns  :  that  weapon  may  belong  to  some  one  else." 

There  was  much  comfort  in  the  fact  that  the  sound  reached  them  from  the  right 
point  of  the  compass.  More  than  likely  the  weapon  had  been  fired  by  the  Hottentot  •. 
at  any  rate  his  friends  would  believe  such  to  be  the  fact  until  the  contrary  should  be 
proved.  The  horsemen  were  on  the  northern  side  of  a  gentle  slope  that  intervened 
between  them  and  the  grassy  tract  in  which  they  had  finished  up  their  rhinoceros 
hunting,  so  they  rode  to  the  top  and  looked  down  over  the  plain  spread  out  before 
them.  For  a  while  they  could  see  nothing,  but  suddenly,  to  their  amazement,  they 
observed  Diedrick  himself  approaching.  He  was  on  foot,  and  the  elevated  position 
of  the  horsemen  enabled  them  to  see  him  distinctly. 

"  He  has  no  horse,"  called  out  Dick. 

The  Hottentot  caught  sight  of  the  party  on  the  crest,  and  waved  his  hand  in 
salute.  His  friends  were  so  pleased  to  see  that  he  was  well  and  safe  that  they 
waved  their  hats  in  return,  and  bade  him  hurry  up  and  join  them. 

The  conclusion  was  unanimous  that  his  horse  had  been  slain  in  some  encounter 
with  a  savage  beast,  when  the  spectators  were  astounded  to  catch  sight  of  the  ani- 
mal himself.  He  was  some  two  hundred  yards  behind  his  master,  and  was  walking 
in  the  same  direction,  the  intervening  grass  probably  shutting  them  out  from  sight 
of  each  other. 

"  What  can  that  mean  ?  "  was  the  natural  query  of  Bob  Marshall. 

"He  has  lost  his  horse  —  his  horse  has  lost  him,"  said  Jack;  "  he  has  wearied 
of  looking  after  the  horse,  and  now  the  horse  has  begun  to  look  for  him." 

It  really  appeared  as  if  such  was  the  fact,  though  the  truth  could  not  be  learned 
until  the  arrival  of  Diedrick,  who  was  making  good  progress  in  the  direction  of  his 
waiting  companions. 

As  he  continued  advancing  his  pony  did  the  same.  His  friends,  suspecting  that 
he  was  unaware  of  the  peculiar  position,  refrained  from  doing  or  saying  anything 
that  could  give  him  a  clew  to  the  truth. 

308 


DIEDRICK'S  VICISSITUDES. 


309 


"  Where  is  your  horse?"  shouted  Jack  Harvey,  as  the  panting  fellow  hurried 

up  the  slope. 

"  Me  lose  him  —  he  gone  —  run  off  —  neber  see  —  break  my  heart " 

At  that  moment  the   Hottentot  heard  the  sound  of  hoofs,  and  turned  to  look 

Behind  him.     When  his  eyes  rested  on  his  own  animal,  the  expression  of  his  face 


TWO-HORNED  RHINOCEROS. 


and  his  whole  manner  were  amusing  beyond  description.  His  under  jaw  fell,  his 
eyes  protruded,  his  legs  bent  forward  at  the  knees  as  though  about  to  give  way, 
his  gun  dropped  from  his  grasp,  and  his  fingers  spread  apart  as  though  each 
repelled  the  other.  He  appeared  to  be  in  a  collapse  of  amazement  and  chagrin. 


DIEDRICK'S  VICISSITUDES. 

The  three,  who  were  seated  on  their  horses,  laughed  merrily,  for  the  sight  was 
the  most  amusing  on  which  they  had  gazed  for  many  a  day. 

It  looked,  indeed,  as  if  the  returning  steed  shared  in  the  general  hilarity,  for  the 
trot  was  accompanied  by  a  whinny,  as  he  dropped  down  to  a  walk  and  came  to  a 
halt  within  arm's  reach  of  his  master. 

By  this  time  Diedrick  had  recovered  himself,  and,  seizing  the  bridle,  he  bounded 
upon  the  back  of  the  animal.  Then  the  native  appeared  to  boil  with  indignation 
because  of  the  ridiculous  light  in  which  he  had  been  placed  by  his  steed.  He 
began  beating  his  ribs  with  his  feet,  as  though  he  meant  to  stave  them  in.  But  it 
must  not  be  thought  that  the  Hottentot's  broad,  flat  heels  inflicted  any  particular 
hurt.  He  was  unable  to  punish  the  pony  in  that  fashion,  and  it  was  not  until  he 
had  kept  it  up  for  some  minutes,  accompanying  it  by  all  sorts  of  calumny  on  the 
brute's  ancestors,  that  the  horse  broke  into  a  gallop. 

When  Diedrick  thought  he  had  chastised  him  enough  (and  about  that  time  the 
latter  was  beginning  to  enjoy  the  sport),  he  gradually  sheered  him  'round  and 
headed  back  toward  the  waiting  party,  which  he  joined  in  the  course  of  the  next 
few  minutes. 

The  experience  of  Diedrick  had  been  hardly  less  thrilling  than  that  of  his  young 
friend,  from  whom  he  had  separated  for  the  purpose  of  driving  the  rhinoceroses  to- 
ward the  horsemen  that  were  waiting  on  the  other  side  of  the  tall  grass.  Since  two 
persons  can  cover  twice  as  much  ground  when  apart  as  when  together,  the  plan  was 
a  good  one,  provided  the  conditions  did  not  change. 

The  first  rhinoceros  started  up,  as  you  will  recall,  headed,  after  a  time,  toward 
the  waiting  hunters,  tramped  heavily,  progressed  steadily,  and  went  down  surely. 
But  the  second  displayed  a  fierceness  altogether  unexpected  in  his  charge  upon  Bob 
Marshall. 

It  seemed  to  be  a  good  day  for  that  species  of  ungulate  mammals,  for  the  native 
had  not  gone  far  when  the  fright  of  his  animal  showed  that  something  in  the  way 
of  game  was  close  at  hand.  He  became  so  restless  that  he  refused  to  advance 
farther,  and  the  native  lost  his  temper.  As  he  had  pursued  a  different  direction 
from  that  taken  by  Bob,  the  two  were  a  considerable  distance  apart,  and  the  only 
notice  that  reached  the  ear  of  the  native  of  anything  special  being  under  way  was 
the  report  of  the  lad's  rifle.  That  did  not  cause  him  uneasiness,  and  just  then  his 
own  hands  were  full  of  business.  i 

Diedrick  dismounted  to  learn  the  cause  of  his  horse's  fright,  advancing  in  a 
straight  line,  and  in  doing  so  he  committed  an  unfortunate  error.  The  particular 
animal  that  had  frightened  his  horse  was  not  where  he  supposed,  but  was  in  an 
unusually  thick  mass  of  grass  to  the  right. 

The  Hottentot  had  gone  but  a  short  distance,  when  he  heard  a  whiffing  grunt 
that  he  recognized.  He  wheeled  just  in  time  to  see  a  black  rhinoceros  charge  from 
the  matted  grass  in  a  paroxysm  of  fury  because  he  was  intruded  upon  by  a  horse 
and  his  rider. 

Fortunately  for  the  latter,  however,  the  animal  paid  no  heed  to  him,  but  concen- 


DIEDRICK'S  VICISSITUDES. 


trated  his  rage  upon  the  steed,  and  proceeded  to  "  go  for  him  "  with  a  vigor  that  could 
not  be  surpassed.  No  animal  possessing  the  power  of  locomotion  will  stand  still 
before  such  an  attack.  The  steed  bounded  off  and  dashed  through  the  grass  on 

a  dead  run. 

In  this  case  the  horse  could  trave] 
slightly  faster  than  the  one  ridden 
by  Bob  Marshall,  while  the  rhinoc- 
eros, being  smaller,  could  not  go  as 
rapidly  as  the  pursuer  of  the  youth. 
Thus  it  happened  that  the  fugitive 
was  able  to  outrun  the  vicious  rhi- 
noceros,   though   the  difference 
in  speed  was  so  slight  that  the 
huge  creature  was 
encouraged    to 
keep  up  the  pur- 


suit  for  a  considerable  time.  The 
Hottentot  did  not  wish  to  lose  his 
horse,  and  he  had  some  desire  to 
capture  the  Vhinoceros ;  so  he  ran 
after  the  beast  with  all  the  speed  of 
which  he  was  master. 

Thus  a  sort  of  double  chase  was 
set  on  foot :  while  the  rhinoceros 
pursued  the  horse,  the  Hottentot 

chased  the  rhinoceros,  the  front  and  rear  of  the  procession  being  on  the  best  of 
terms,  while  the  middle  portion  was  arrayed  against  both. 

In  this  novel  competition  Diedrick  was  at  a  great  disadvantage,  the  others  being 
much  more  fleet  than  he.     They  rapidly  drew  away  and  disappeared  from  sight ; 


DOUBLE  CHASE. 


3i2  DIEDRICK'S  VICISSITUDES. 

but,  as  he  could  not  afford  to  lose  his  horse,  the  Hottentot  continued  the  chase. 
He  grew  more  savage  every  minute.  The  animal  was  beyond  hearing,  and  was 
doubtless  increasing  the  space  at  a  rapid  rate.  Diedrick  soon  had  little  breath 
left,  while  the  prospect  of  losing  the  steed  was  fast  resolving  itself  into  a  certainty. 

By-and-by  the  native  was  compelled  to  drop  down  to  a  slow  walk,  tramping 
heavily  and  wearily,  and  speculating  as  to  which  animal  he  felt  the  fiercest  resent- 
ment against.  He  was  angry  toAvard  the  rhinoceros,  as  a  matter  of  course,  but  he 
expected  much  better  things  of  his  intelligent  horse. 

He  was  in  no  special  fear  of  the  former,  for  he  had  killed  more  than  one  of  his 
kind,  and  was  confident  that  with  his  loaded  gun  he  was  a  master  of  any  he  might 
encounter. 

His  belief  was  that  the  pursuit  of  the  horse  by  the  rhinoceros  could  not  last 
long,  for  the  pursuer  must  soon  lose  sight  of  him  in  the  grass  and  see  that  the 
chase  was  hopeless. 

Diedrick  expected  to  come  up  with  his  pony  in  a  brief  while,  but  to  his  dismay 
he  learned,  when  he  examined  the  ground  at  his  feet,  that  he  was  off  the  trail 
altogether. 

For  a  few  minutes  succeeding  this  discovery,  he  was  the  best  specimen  of  a 
Hottentot  "  mad  clear  through  "  that  can  be  imagined.  Convinced,  finally,  that  it 
was  useless  to  fellow  him,  he  turned  to  rejoin  his  friends.  What  followed  has 
already  been  told. 


CHAPTER  LVI. 

A     WHOLE     ARMFUL. 

"HE  story  of  Diedrick,  as  it  was  gradually  drawn  from  him,  was  of  the  highest 
interest  to  his  listeners,  but  in  the  course  of  the  narration  he  made  a  state- 
ment which  threw  the  three  into  a  flutter  of  excitement. 

The  rhinoceros  that  had  given  him  such  a  sharp  brush  was  a  female,  and  at  the 
moment  she  had  rushed  from  her  resting-place  upon  the  intruder,  he  had  seen  a  little 
one  lying  in  the  grass.  It  must  have  been  quite  young,  for  it  made  no  attempt  to 
follow  its  mother. 

"  That's  lucky  !"  exclaimed  Dick  Brownell ;  "there's  just  the  best  chance  in 
the  world  to  secure  the  very  prize  we  want." 

"That's  what  we  are  here  for,"  was  the  characteristic  remark  of  Jack  (since  he 
was  a  Texan);  "though  we  have  had  plenty  of  fun,  the  trip  will  be  a  failure  if  we 
don't  scoop  in  a  young  one  to  take  back  with  us." 

"  And  you'll  gain  a  chance  to  use  that  lasso  of  yours,"  laughed  Bob  Marshall ; 
"  I  know  you  must  have  felt  bad  to  sit  here  and  have  so  little  part  in  the  fun." 

The  afternoon  was  so  far  along  that  there  was  no  time  to  spare.  Mounted  in 
the  manner  described,  the  four  hunters  on  their  three  steeds  plunged  into  the  grass. 
Diedrick  took  the  lead,  feeling  quite  willing  for  another  encounter  with  the  savage 
female  because  of  the  trick  she  had  served  him. 

Although  matters  had  not  gone  very  satisfactorily  up  to  this  time,  yet  our  friends 
seemed  now  to  have  reached  what  may  be  called  the  turn  in  the  tide.  Diedrick  had 
not  penetrated  two  hundred  yards  in  the  grass  from  which  he  had  emerged  a  short 
time  before  on  foot,  when  he  almost  ran  his  horse  against  the  very  female  for  which 
he  was  searching. 

But  for  the  alertness  and  vigilance  of  the  pony,  he  would  have  been  impaled  on 
the  frightful  horn  of  the  brute.  The  first  thing  that  his  friends  observed  was  the 
sudden  wheeling  about  of  the  startled  horse  and  his  plunge,  as  though  he  was 
about  to  run  over  them. 

Dick  Brownell  had  just  time  to  turn  his  pony  to  one  side  and  Jack  Harvey  to 
the  other,  when  the  native  shot  between  them,  with  the  rhinoceros  in  hot  pursuit. 
This  "  arrangement "  gave  the  very  chance  the  hunters  wanted,  since  the  beast, 
paying  no  attention  to  them,  exposed  her  broadside  as  she  lumbered  past. 

Jack,  Bob  and  Dick  let  drive  at  the  proper  moment,  and  it  may  be  safely  said 
that  no  animal  of  that  species  was  ever  killed  with  greater  suddenness.  The  vast 
bulk  sagged  forward  and  downward,  swinging  over  on  one  side,  and  the  animal 
died  without  a  struggle.  As  before,  the  wounds  were  hardly  visible,  the  victim 
bleeding  to  death  inwardly. 


A    WHOLE    ARMFUL. 


PONDEROUS  GAME. 


"That's  well  enough,"  remarked  Jack  Harvey,  after  taking  a  hasty  survey  of  the 
sarcassj  "but  where's  the  youngster?  " 

It  seemed  curious  that  the  mother  should  have  come  to  this  spot,  and  aban- 
doned her  offspring, 
when  the  latter  was  so 
very  young,  for  the  rhi- 
noceros and  her  progeny 
display  a  strong  affec- 
tion for  each  other.  Our 
friends  believed  the  little 
one  could  not  be  far  off, 
the  mother  probably  hav- 
ing been  on  her  way  to 
it  when  she  discovered 
the  approach  of  the  hunt- 
ers, and  stopped  to  give 
them  battle. 

"  I  wish  it  was  earlier 
in  the  day,"  said  Jack, 
who  was  riding  slowly 
around  in  a  circle,  and 

peering  among  the  grass  in  the  hope  of  catching  sight  of  the  youngster. 
"  We  can  come  back  in  the  morning." 

"  But  there's  no  telling  what  may  happen  between  now  and  then." 
"  It  would  be  cruel  to  leave  the  little  one  without  any  attendance,"  said  Dick, 
"  and  it  will  make  a  hole  in  our  supply  of  milk  —  I  say,  Bob,"  he  suddenly  added  in  a 
whisper;  "there's  something  moving  through  the  grass  right  ahead  of  us." 

Diedrick  had  caught  sight  of  the  object  and  hastened  toward  it.  The  next  in- 
stant he  called  out  that  the  young  rhinoceros  was  found,  and  the  party  closed 
around  the  prize. 

It  was  one  of  the  funniest  sights  you  can  imagine.  About  the  size  of  a  large, 
chunky  dog,  it  was  so  ugly-looking  that  no  one  could  view  it  without  laughing,  as 
it  came  waddling  through  the  grass,  poking  its  comical  snout  here  and  there  in 
quest  of  its  mother.  It  paid  no  attention  to  the  horsemen  and  would  have  pushed 
its  way  straight  to  the  inanimate  parent,  had  they  not  interposed  their  animals 
across  its  path. 

"Well,  I'll  be  hanged!"  exclaimed  Jack  Harvey,  with  a  laugh;  "I've  seen  a 
good  many  homely-looking  things  in  my  life,  but  that  beats  them  all." 

The  youngster,  finding  its  way  blocked,  raised  its  head  and  looked  up  at  the 
hunters  as  if  to  inquire  what  it  all  meant.  Its  body  was  pig-shaped,  its  legs  short, 
round  and  unsymmetrical,  and  its  head  bore  some  resemblance  to  that  of  a  calf 
swollen  much  out  of  shape.  Just  above  its  blunt  nose  was  a  hump,  the  beginning 
of  the  horn,  which  does  not  acquire  its  full  growth  for  eight  or  ten  years. 


A   WHOLE    ARMFUL. 


315 


Mingled  with  the  feeling  of  amusement  was  that  of  pity  for  the  little  one  that 
was  looking  for  its  parent,  which  had  been  shot  only  a  few  minutes  before.  A 
young  rhinoceros  is  so  attached  to  its  mother  that  it  will  fight  with  great  fury  in 
her  defense.  The  youngster  had  not  yet  seen  its  parent,  though  her  body  lay  but  a 
short  distance  off,  and  the  hunters  were  desirous  of  preventing  the  discovery. 

Without  a  moment's  hesitation,  Jack  Harvey  sprang  from  his  mustang,  and, 
gathering  the  pumpkin-like  object  in  his  arm,  clambered  back  into  the  saddle.  It 
required  all  his  strength  to  do  so,  and  when  he  was  seated  once  more  on  his  steed, 
he  found  he- had  his  hands  full  indeed,  for  it  weighed  a  good  many  pounds  and  was 
as  awkward  to  handle  as  a  prize  watermelon. 

Had  it  offered  any  resistance,  the  task  would  have  been  impossible,  but  the 
prize  was  unexpectedly  docile,  lying  as  motionlesss  in  its  novel  resting-place  as  a 
tired  lamb  reposes  in  the  arms  of  its  shepherd. 

Turning  about,  the  party  lost  no  time  in 
forcing  its  way  out  of   the   grass  into    the  .,_  1  u  >  ^ 

plain  on  the  higher  ground.  Night  had  now 
descended,  but  they  were  in  high  spirits  over 
their  success.  They  had  had  a  sharp  brush 
with  the  huge  animals,  and  secured  the  prize 
they  were  anxious  to  get. 

The  hunters  had  gone  but 
a  short  distance  when  they 
caught  the  twinkle  of  the  en- 
campment, which  was  at  no 
great  distance,  and  they  moved 
forward  at  an  easy  pace. 

Bob  and  Dick  would  not 
have  been  themselves  had  they 
not  indulged  in  many  quirps 
and  jests  at  the  expense  of  Jack 
Harvey,  who  was  so  pleased 
over  his  success  that  he  took 
everything  with  the  best  na- 
ture. He  carried  the  plump 
fellow  as  though  it  were  a  baby, 
changing  its  head  from  one  arm 
to  the  other,  and  endeavoring 
to  make  its  position  as  well  as 

his  own  comfortable.  The  ungainly  chunk  never  protested  except  once,  when  the 
nurse,  in  shifting  it  about,  accidentally  got  it  wrong  end  upward.  The  infant  lay 
still  a  minute,  as  if  waiting  for  its  attendant  to  correct  his  error,  but,  finding  he  did 
not  do  so,  kicked  so  vigorously  that  Jack  made  haste  to  re-invert  the  captive,  which 
now  bears  the  name  of  "  Mungo." 


A  TROUBLKSOME  CAPTURE. 


316  A   WHOLE    ARMFUL. 

After  that  everything  went  well,  and  the  camp  was  reached  without  mishap. 
Carl  Godkin  was  delighted.  He  took  the  pumpkin-like  creature  in  his  arms 
and  carried  it  to  a  part  of  the  inclosure  reserved  for  extra  company.  It  was 
furnished  with  a  supply  of  goats'  milk,  and  disposed  of  such  a  quantity  that  it 
almost  caused  consternation  among  the  natives  when  they  reflected  that  the  de- 
mand was  sure  to  increase  rapidly  instead  of  diminish. 

"  Do  you  know,"  said  the  director  later  in  the  evening,  after  supper,  and  when 
he  and  the  Texan  had  relighted  their  pipes,  "that  our  work  is  almost  finished?" 

"  How  is  that  ?  "  asked  Bob  and  Dick  together. 

"We  have  done  exceedingly  well;  there  is  but  one  more  animal  for  us  to 
capture." 

"What's  that?" 

"A  hippopotamus;  as  soon  as  we  get  one  or  two  of  them,  I  shall  pull  up  stakes 
and  start  for  Port  Natal." 

"And  what  then?"  a$>ked  Jack,  the  boys  listening  anxiously  for  the  answer. 

"I  shall  find  letters  there  from  our  chief,  and  our  future  movements  will 
depend  on  his  wishes.  We  are  in  his  employ,  and  whatever  he  directs,  of  course, 
must  be  done." 

"What  about  the  gorilla  country?"  asked  Bob. 

"  I  have  no  doubt  that  a  journey  will  be  made  there,  but  I  cannot  speak  posi- 
tively until  after  reaching  Port  Natal.  I  will  say  that  if  it  is  in  my  power  to  arrange 
it  I  shall  do  so."  This  certainly  was  all  the  boys  could  ask,  and  their  eyes 
sparkled  as  they  thanked  the  director  for  his  promise. 

"As  for  the  hippopotami,"  added  Mr.  Godkin,  "they  are  around  us;  while  you 
were  off  on  your  hunt,  Pongo  and  I  took  the  best  observation  we  could  without  the 
aid  of  the  glass,  and  we  saw  a  couple  over  on  the  other  side  of  the  river.  To- 
morrow, as  soon  as  we  can  make  a  start,  we  will  be  off  on  the  hunt.  If  we  succeed, 
I  shall  begin  preparations  for  the  journey  to  the  coast  without  delay." 

"Who  will  compose  the  party?"  asked  Dick. 

"We'll  take  Pongo  and  Diedrick  along;  they  are  natives  of  the  country  and 
know  a  good  deal  about  its  animals." 

"  Will  it  be  safe  to  leave  the  camp  in  charge  of  the  natives  alone  ?  " 

"  I  think  so;  I  kept  a  sharp  watch  to-day,  but  haven't  detected  the  first  sign  of 
wild  men;  I  am  quite  sure,  therefore,  they  won't  trouble  us." 

"  I  suppose  we'll  make  use  of  the  raft  to  cross  the  stream." 

"Yes;  we  must  cross  to  the  other  shore,  for  the  indications  point  to  the  animals 
being  there.  We  had  a  stroke  of  luck  this  afternoon,"  added  the  director,  "  for, 
while  I  was  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  hunting  for  signs,  a  dug-out  drifted  by  so 
close,  that  with  little  work  I  secured  and  brought  it  ashore." 

"  It  strikes  me  that  that's  suspicious,"  said  Jack  Harvey;  "  leastways  we  would 
believe  so  in  our  part  of  the  world." 

"  No ;  I  don't  think  there's  anything  to  cause  alarm,  for  the  wild  men  have  been 
so  thoroughly  trounced  that  they  ain't  likely  to  bother  us  any  more -" 

"What  noise  is  that?"  interrupted  the  Texan. 


CHAPTER  LVII. 

THE    BEHEMOTH. 

'HE  night  was  unusually  still,  the  hunters  being  so  far  removed  from  the  jungle 
that  most  of  the  noises  which  are  never  silent  failed  to  reach  their  ears,  or 
did  so  with  such  subdued  power  that  they  only  served  to  render  the  silence 
more  impressive. 

"  Everything  had  been  put  in  good  shape  for  the  night,  Abdallah  taking  charge 
of  his  countrymen,  with  the  exception  of  Pongo  and  Diedrick,  who  were  gathered 
with  the  white  men  around  the  fire. 

Abdallah,  Govozy  and  Wart  were  to  act  as  sentinels  for  the  first  half  of  the  night, 
while  Adz,  Bormo,  Valmur  and  Gooboo,  under  the  direction  of  Orak  (who  consid- 
ered himself  fully  recovered),  were  to  perform  the  duty  for  the  remaining  hours  of 
darkness. 

This  placed  the  responsibility  on  the  most  insignificant  members  of  the  expe- 
dition, but  Mr.  Godkin  wished  to  give  himself  and  friends  abundant  rest,  so  they 
would  be  in  good  form  for  the  morrow. 

The  sound  which  caused  the  interruption  on  the  part  of  Jack  Harvey  was  a 
heavy,  wheezing  snort,  from  the  direction  of  the  river.  The  director  suspected  its 
nature,  but,  without  speaking,  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  looked  toward  the  point 
whence  it  came. 

At  the  same  moment  Pongo  came  running  toward  them. 

"  River-horse  in  grass,"  he  said,  "out  there  —  me  see  him." 

This  was  news  indeeed. 

"Well,  I'll  be  hanged!"  exclaimed  Jack;  "why  not  go  on  the  hunt  to-night, 
Carl  ?  " 

"  We  will,"  was  the  reply;  "  come  on,  Pongo  and  Diedrick  and  the  rest  of  you. 
Jack,  you  don't  want  your  lasso,  but  each  of  you  make  sure  you  have  a  weapon. 
Pongo,  leave  your  boomerangs  behind  and  fetch  one  of  the  shot-guns." 

The  directions  were  quickly  obeyed,  and  a  few  minutes  later  the  party,  number- 
ing six,  on  foot,  were  hurrying  toward  the  river,  whence  had  come  the  suspicious 
sound,  and  where  the  Bushman  had  seen  the  mountainous  behemoth. 

It  was  not  in  sight,  but  a  heavy  splashing  on  the  other  side  of  the  stream  left 
no  doubt  that  the  animal  had  crossed  the  river,  and  was  making  its  way  along 
the  opposite  bank. 

"We  must  follow,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "for  we  may  not  have  as  good  a  chance 
to-morrow." 

There  were  the  raft  and  dug-out  ready  for  use,  and  it  need  not  be  said  they 
were  appropriated  without  delay.  The  boat,  although  quite  large,  was  barely  able 

317 


3i8 


THE    BEHEMOTH. 


to  hold  three  persons,  while  the  other  structure  was  somewhat  more  buoyant:    it 
was,  therefore,  necessary  to  employ  both  means  of  ferriage. 

Pongo,  Mr.  Godkin  and  Jack  Harvey  took  their  places  in  the  dug-out,  thereby 
taxing  it  to  the  utmost.  The  boys  and  Diedrick  stepped  upon  the  raft,  the  Hot- 
tentot taking  up  the  long  pole.  Pongo  was  an  adept  in  handling  the  slender  paddle, 
and,  since  the  men  were  eager  to  reach  the  other  shore,  in  order  to  keep  track,  if 
possible,  of  the  hippopotamus,  Pongo  plied  the  implement  with  a  skill  that  took 
him  rapidly  away  from  his  friends.  He  promised,  however,  that  on  landing  the 
gentlemen,  he  would  come  back  to  meet  his  young  friends. 

There  was  no  moon  in  the  sky,  though  it  was  clear,  and  the  stars  shone  with  a 
brilliancy  almost  unknown  in  the  Northern  hemisphere.  Pongo  reached  land  ere 
the  more  cumbersome  craft  was  half  way  across. 

They  had  disembarked,  when  Mr.  Godkin,  whose  sense  of  hearing  was  unusually 
acute,  instantly  stepped  back  in  the  boat,  where,  standing  erect,  he  brought  his  gun 
to  his  shoulder  and  fired  at  some  object  out  in  the  river. 

The  director  had  seen  an  immense  female  hippopotamus,  swimming  toward  the 
other  shore  with  its  young  one  on  its  back.  He  aimed  at  the  mother  and  struck 
her,  for  she  instantly  sank  out  of  sight,  all  except  her  huge  snout,  and  the  nose  of 
the  little  one,  which  still  clung  to  its  support.  Before  any  measures  could  be  taken 
to  follow  her,  she  vanished  in  the  gloom. 

The  fact  that  she  was  heading  for  the  other  shore,  and  that  she  had  received  a 
shot  that  must  have  thrown  her  into  a  rage,  caused  some  misgiving  for  Diedrick 
and  the  boys  that  were  approaching  on  the  raft. 

Pongo  was  directed  to  take  the  dug-out  and  push  off  as  fast  as  he  could  go.  On 
reaching  the  raft  he  was  to  take  off  the  two  boys  and  hurry  back. 

Jack  Harvey  called  out  in  a  guarded  voice  the  explanation  of  the  rifle  shot  that 
had  just  been  fired,  and  cautioned  the  youths  to  keep  quiet.  Instantly  their  voices 
were  hushed,  while  the  Hottentot  plied  the  pole  with  such  skill  that  it  caused  hardly 
a  ripple.  A  brief  row  brought  Pongo  to  the  side  of  the  raft,  where  he  invited  the 
boys  to  step  in.  Bob  obeyed,  but  Dick  drew  back. 

"  I  don't  see  why,"  he  said  in  a  whisper,  "  one  place  isn't  as  good  as  another ; 
I'll  keep  company  with  Diedrick." 

The  keen  eyes  that  peered  through  the  surrounding  gloom  failed  to  catch  sight 
of  the  monster.  The  fact  that  she  had  a  young  one  with  her  seemed  to  be  in  favor 
of  a  neutrality  on  her  part  until  she  could  place  it  in  some  safe  place,  that  would 
leave  her  free  to  attack  the  hunters. 

Pongo  kept  the  dug-out  close  to  the  raft,  with  a  view  of  giving  what  help  he 
could  in  the  event  of  attack.  He  believed  the  shot  of  Mr.  Godkin  was  a  mistake, 
since  the  wounding  of  the  mother  would  throw  her  into  rage  and  lead  her  to  attack 
the  hunters  before  they  were  in  the  best  situation  to  dispose  of  her. 

He  expressed  the  belief  that  she  would  deposit  her  little  one  in  shallow  water, 
among  the  grass,  and  then  turn  about  and  assail  the  sportsmen  wherever  she  could 
reach  them. 


THE    BEHEMOTH. 


319 


While  our  friends  are  pushing  their  way  across  the  stream,  suppose  I  take  a  few 
tuinutes  to  tell  you  something  about  the  hippopotamus  (hippopotamidce),  which  is 
undoubtedly  the  behemoth  of  the  Bible. 

The  animal  is  believed  to  inhabit  nearly  all  the  great  rivers  of  Africa,     Formerly 


THE  HIPPOPOTAMUS. 


it  was  met  with  as  far  north  as  Egypt,  but  its  limit  in  that  direction  is  now  Abyssinia. 
Away  back  in  the  remote  ages  of  antiquity,  it  was  common  to  Europe  and  Asia,  but 
in  its  wild  state  it  lives  alone  in  the  Dark  Continent. 

The  period  during  which  the  hippopotamus  can  remain  under  water  has  never 


320  THE    BEHEMOTH. 

been  satisfactorily  settled,  but  it  is  believed  to  be  about  ten  minutes.  The  full- 
grown  animal  is  a  dozen  feet  in  length  and  as  much  in  circumference.  Its  legs  are 
so  short  that,  where  the  ground  is  uneven,  the  belly  touches  the  earth  when  the  mon- 
ster walks,  so  that  it  resembles  a  huge  hogshead  mounted  on  four  billets  of  wood.  Its 
nostrils  and  ears  are  on  the  same  plane,  its  ears  small,  sharp  and  stiff,  and  its  hide,  of 
a  dirty  chocolate  color,  is  an  inch  and  a  half  thick.  I  can  conceive  of  no  more 
repulsive  sight  than  that  of  its  mouth  when  fully  open. 

The  teeth  of  the  hippopotamus  are  very  formidable,  their  number,  form  and 
situation  varying  with  its  years.  The  canines  are  immense  tusks,  resembling  a 
chisel,  and  help  to  form  a  fitting  apparatus  for  grinding  the  supply  for  a  stomach 
which  is  capable  of  containing  six  bushels  of  food. 

Both  the  jaws  are  movable  and  constitute  a  terrible  engine  for  crushing  its  prey, 
whether  seated  in  a  boat  or  unprotected  in  the  water. 

Although  many  claim  that  the  hippopotamus  is  more  stupid  than  the  pig,  yet  in 
some  respects  he  shows  remarkable  cunning.  It  is  almost  impossible  to  ensnare 
him,  for,  no  matter  how  carefully  the  contrivance  is  hidden,  the  huge  beast  seems 
to  suspect  something  is  wrong,  and,  after  pausing  a  minute  or  two,  will  deliberately 
walk  around  the  trap  upon  which  the  native  has  set  such  hopes. 

As  a  rule,  hippopotami  are  found  in  families  of  a  dozen  or  a  score,  though  some- 
times the  single  members  are  detached  for  a  greater  or  less  time. 

The  nostrils  are  so  placed  that  they  are  the  first  part  of  the  animal  to  appear 
when  he  rises  to  the  surface,  and,  like  those  of  the  seal,  they  are  closed,  while  he 
takes  a  promenade  along  the  bed  of  his  river  home. 

The  eyes  at  first  sight  appear  to  have  an  unusual  protuberance,  but  this  is  a 
wise  provision  of  nature,  as  seen  in  the  eagle  and  some  other  birds  of  prey,  where 
the  muscles  and  horny  rings  constitute  a  telescopic  apparatus  which  allows  the 
organs  to  be  protruded  or  withdrawn  at  will. 

I  once  heard  a  mischievous  lad  express  the  wish  that  his  eyes  were  constructed 
on  the  same  principle,  so  as  to  permit  him  to  look  behind  him  without  moving  his 
head.  Thus  he  would  be  enabled  to  detect  his  teacher  or  any  frolicsome  play- 
mate trying  to  steal  upon  him. 

I  have  referred  to  the  voice  of  the  hippopotamus,  but  it  is  of  a  nature  that  is 
hard  to  describe.  One  hunter  speaks  of  it  as  a  loud  and  short,  harsh  note,  uttered 
four  or  five  times  quickly  and  suggesting  the  snort  of  a  horse,  ending  with  an  ex- 
plosive sound  like  a  bark. 

An  excellent  authority  represents  the  sounds  by  the  letters  "  heurah  hurh  hesh- 
heohf"  the  first  two  combinations  being  uttered  in  a  hoarse,  sharp,  tremulous  tone, 
like  the  grunting  of  animals,  while  the  compound  word  is  shot  forth  and  resembles 
the  neigh  of  a  horse. 

However,  if  it  is  ever  your  fortune  to  hear  the  cry  of  the  beast,  you  will  admit 
that  it  is  difficult  to  describe. 

Recalling  the  situation  of  our  friends,  Mr.  Godkin  and  Jack  Harvey  were  stand- 
ing, rifles  in  hand,  on  the  farther  side  of  the  river,  on  the  watch  for  the  appearance 


THE    BEHEMOTH. 


321 


of  the  river-horse,  while  the  raft  and  dug-out  were  pushing  toward  them,  Pongo  and 
Bob  being  in  the  latter  and  Diedrick  and  Dick  on  the  former. 

All  dreaded  the  appearance  of  the  animal,  for  their  situation  placed  them  at 
a  disadvantage,  and  she  was  known  to  be  in  a  furious  mood  because  of  the  wound 
rsceived  from  the  rifle  of  Mr.  Godkin. 


CHAPTER  LVIII. 

THE  CRASH  OF  SPLINTERING  WOOD. 

T  was  natural  that  all  the  party  should  feel  more  or  less  uneasiness  from  the 
fact  that  no  one  could  say  where  the  hippopotamus  was.  The  probabilities 
were  that  she  had  left  the  neighborhood,  but  for  the  present  there  could  be  no 
certainty  on  that  point.  All  appreciated  the  necessity  of  stillness,  for  a  loud  word 
or  a  careless  splash  with  pole  or  paddle  might  draw  the  beast  directly  upon  them. 
She  was  probably  so  enraged  because  of  her  wound,  that  nothing  like  fear  would 
restrain  her  from  rushing  headlong  at  anything  which  might  present  itself. 

It  will  be  understood  that  the  main  danger  lay  in  the  inevitable  noise  of  the  pole 
or  paddle  while  propelling  the  craft  across  the  river.  Water  is  a  much  better  con- 
ductor of  sound  than  air,  and  no  little  skill  was  required  to  handle  those  imple- 
ments. 

As  the  raft  and  dug-out  kept  so  nigh  each  other,  it  was  an  easy  matter  to 
exchange  words  in  low  tones,  without  increasing  the  danger  of  detection  by  their 
giant  enemy. 

The  stars  were  dazzling  in  their  brilliancy,  and  the  constellations  shone  with  a 
splendor  surpassing  anything  they  had  ever  seen.  Nothing  could  equal  the  beauty 
of  the  Southern  Cross,  on  which  both  Bob  and  Dick  gazed  more  than  once  while 
crossing  the  stream. 

But  the  increasing  sense  of  danger  brought  back  their  attention  to  the  sphere 
on  which  they  lived,  and,  when  they  found  they  were  near  the  middle  of  the  river, 
they  thought  of  nothing  else. 

"  I  wonder  where  she  can  be,"  said  Bob,  in  a  guarded  undertone,  from  his 
perch  in  the  stern  of  the  dug-out,  to  his  cousin,  who  was  standing  erect  on  the  raft 
less  than  a  dozen  feet  away. 

"  I  cannot  think  there  is  any  likelihood  of  our  stirring  her  up,"  said  Dick,  in 
reply.  "  It  seems  impossible  that  we  should  run  against  her  when  we  traverse  such 
a  narrow  path." 

"It  isn't  impossible,  but  we  ought  to  be  able  to  go  very  close  to  the  hippopota- 
mus without  disturbing  her.  Can  you  hear  the  ripple  of  Pongo's  paddle  ?  " 

The  two  were  silent  a  moment,  during  which  they  could  scarcely  distinguish  the 
soft  rustling  of  the  implement  which  the  Bushman  plied  with  such  skill.  He  kept 
the  dug-out  in  motion  by  using  it  first  on  one  side  of  the  boat  and  then  on  the  other, 
but  his  extreme  care  prevented  him  going  very  fast. 

It  was  the  same  with  the  Hottentot,  who  handled  the  long  pole.  He  did  not 
raise  the  lower  end  above  the  surface,  for  it  was  not  necessary  to  do  so,  but  he  was 
obliged  continually  to  withdraw  the  point  from  the  muddy  bottom,  and  a  slight 

322 


THE    CRASH    OF    SPLINTERING   WOOD. 


323 


disturbance  of  the  current  was  un- 
avoidable; but,  had  it  been  less,  it 
would  have  been  silence  itself. 

All  at  once  the  two  natives 
stopped  propelling,  and,  leaning 
forward,  peered  intently  through 
the  gloom.  They  had  caught  a 
sound,  the  nature  of  which  neither 
understood,  but  no  one  thought  of 
anything  else  except  the  hippo- 
potamus. 

Observing  the   alarm  of   their 
guides,  as  they  may  be  termed,  the 
boys  held  their  peace, 
and    used    eyes    and 
ears  to  the  utmost. 


A  RESISTLESS  ATTACK. 

The  whole  four  heard  distinctly  the  moving  of  some  body  in  the  water  near 
them.  It  was  not  such  a  ripple  as  would  have  been  made  by  a  natural  obstruction 
in  the  current,  but  it  was  irregular  and  spasmodic,  proving  that  it  was  caused  by 
some  fish  or  animal. 

Diedrick  and  Dick  were  standing  erect  on  the  raft,  peering  forward  in  the  dark- 
ness, the  Hottentot  holding  the  long  pole  half  out  of  water  and  firmly  grasped  with 
both  hands.  His  gun  lay  near  the  middle  of  the  raft,  but  the  lad  not  only  clung  to 
his  weapon,  but  he  kept  it  ready  for  the  river-horse  if  she  should  attack  them.  . 


324  THE    CRASH    OF    SPLINTERING   WOOD. 

Bob  remained  seated  in  the  stern,  but  he  was  equally  prepared  with  his  effective 
weapon  in  case  of  need. 

As  I  have  stated,  the  Bushman,  in  propelling  the  dug-out,  faced  the  front,  thus 
increasing  the  similarity  of  his  action  to  that  of  an  American  Indian  approaching  a 
hostile  camp  by  night  in  his  canoe.  He  was  accustomed  to  using  his  eyes  in  the 
gloom,  and  yet  his  vision  was  not  equal  to  that  of  the  Hottentot,  for  it  was  the 
latter  who  first  caught  sight  of  the  cause  of  the  disturbance  in  front. 

"  'Tis  the  beast  we  dread  !  "  was  his  startling  exclamation,  uttered  in  a  whisper 
which  all  heard. 

Pongo  had  now  also  detected  it,  and  whispered: 

"  Speak  not  —  no  noise  make  !  " 

No  one  stirred  a  muscle,  for  the  action  of  the  hippopotamus  led  them  to  hope 
she  had  not  observed  them.  The  boys  dimly  saw  the  outlines  of  a  vast  square 
snout  gliding  down  stream,  at  right  angles  to  the  course  the  craft  were  pursuing. 
She  was  not  approaching,  but  it  was  the  slight  onward  motion  of  the  craft  them- 
selves that  was  taking  them  closer  to  her. 

How  every  one  wished  that  the  boat  and  raft  would  stop,  but  they  dared  not 
put  forth  the  necessary  effort,  for  that  would  have  attracted  the  notice  of  their 
enemy  and  precipitated  the  attack  she  was  eager  to  make  upon  any  animate  thing. 

Just  at  the  moment  the  enormous  head  was  vanishing  in  the  gloom,  a  slight 
splash  was  heard,  and  it  sank  out  of  sight. 

It  was  impossible  to  tell  what  this  movement  meant,  for  the  hippopotamus,  like 
all  animals,  is  often  controlled  by  whims,  and  she  may  have  been  tired  of  swim- 
ming. If  such  was  the  fact,  she  could  walk  a  while  on  the  muddy  bottom  until 
compelled  to  come  to  the  surface  for  air. 

Not  one  of  the  four  moved  or  spoke.  Everything  was  so  dependent  upon  abso- 
lute stillness  that  the  utmost  precaution  was  taken  by  all.  The  Bushman  sat 
crouched  in  the  front  of  the  dug-out  with  his  paddle  in  air,  ready  to  drive  the  boat 
forward  or  backward,  as  the  exigency  might  demand.  Half  of  the  pole  in  the  hand 
of  Diedrick  was  submerged,  and,  as  that  and  the  raft  were  floating  with  the  current, 
not  the  slightest  ripple  was  produced. 

All  of  us  know  how  slowly  time  drags  when  we  are  waiting,  and  to  the  anxious 
group  the  minutes  seemed  ten-fold  their  real  duration.  But  with  each  passing 
moment  hope  increased,  for  it  lessened  the  chances  of  the  behemoth  rising  any- 
where near  them. 

It  seemed  to  all  that  fully  a  half  hour  had  elapsed,  when  in  reality  no  more 
than  a  third  of  that  period  had  gone  by,  a  space  during  which  the  river-horse  can 
stay  under  water  without  inconvenience. 

Suddenly  a  faint  splash  broke  the  stillness.  It  was  in  the  direction  of  the  shore 
toward  which  they  were  laboring,  and  was  so  far  off  that  it  was  impossible  to  toil 
what  produced  it. 

"  It  is  the  hippopotamus,"  said  Dick;  "  lucky  indeed  it  was  that  she  swam  by 
without  seeing  us." 


THE    CRASH    OF    SPLINTERING   WOOD.  325 

"  It  was  the  closest  call  we  ever  had,"  observed  Bob,  with  a  sigh  of  relief  j  "  I'm 
sure  that  for  a  minute  or  two  we  were  in  the  greatest  possible  danger." 

"  What  says  Pongo  ?  "  asked  Diedrick,  still  holding  the  pole  motionless. 

"  We  safe  —  go  on  —  fast !  " 

He  obeyed  his  own  suggestion  by  dipping  his  paddle  deep  in  the  current,  and 
the  Hottentot,  scarcely  a  second  later,  pressed  the  pole  into  the  muddy  bottom  of 
the  river,  his  body  almost  horizontal  from  the  strenuousness  of  his  effort. 

At  this  instant  came  a  sound  as  of  rushing  waters,  and  the  head  of  the  hippo- 
potamus rose  to  the  surface  directly  between  the  raft  and  the  dug-out.  It  was  so 
close,  indeed,  that  the  paddle  in  the  hand  of  the  Bushman  struck  the  grotesque 
bulk  and  slipped  off  as  if  from  a  wet  log. 

This  involuntary  act  of  Pongo  drew  the  fury  of  the  beast  upon  the  smaller  craft. 
The  enormous  head,  with  the  hideous  jaws  distended,  shot  forward  and  caught  the 
end  of  the  dug-out  between  them.  Then  they  came  together  with  resistless  force, 
crushing  the  hollowed  log  as  though  it  were  made  of  card-board. 

The  crash  of  the  splintering  wood,  the  furious  grunt  of  the  behemoth  and  the 
flying  spray,  all  seemed  to  come  simultaneously,  and  before  the  first  step  could  be 
taken  to  drive  off  the  monster  or  to  escape  her  fury. 

A  wild  cry,  such  as  a  man  utters  in  mortal  terror,  came  from  the  lips  of  the 
Bushman,  who  dropped  his  paddle,  caught  up  his  gun  and  made  a  tremendous  leap 
far  out  into  the  river.  He  could  swim  like  a  water-fowl,  and  the  instant  he  struck, 
he  went  under  until  his  feet  touched  the  velvety  bottom. 

He  still  clung  to  his  gun,  for,  in  his  eyes,  its  value  was  scarcely  less  than  his 
own  life,  and,  swimming  as  far  beneath  the  surface  as  possible,  he  came  up  only 
long  enough  to  inhale  what  air  was  needed,  when  down  he  went  again.  He  kept 
his  wits  about  him,  and,  instead  of  swimming  aimlessly,  worked  toward  the  shore 
which  was  the  destination  of  the  party. 

When  he  rose  the  second  time,  he  glanced  over  his  shoulder  to  learn  whether 
his  foe  was  pursuing  him.  Nothing  was  to  be  seen  of  her,  and,  believing  he  now 
held  his  fate  in  his  own  hands,  he  swam  more  leisurely;  but  he  was  continually 
haunted  by  the  dread  that,  after  all,  the  hippopotamus  was  walking  over  the  river 
floor  and  keeping  pace  with  him,  with  the  purpose  of  rising  when  she  was  ready 
and  crushing  him  to  nothingness  in  her  prodigious  jaws. 

Not  until  the  feet  of  Pongo  reached  bottom  and  he  scrambled  out  among  the 
reeds  and  grass,  did  he  breathe  freely.  Then  he  uttered  an  exclamation  of  thank- 
fulness and  a  prayer  that  his  friends  on  the  river  might  be  equally  fortunate. 

It  will  be  understood  that  at  the  moment  the  hippopotamus  crushed  the  boat 
between  her  jaws,  the  situation  of  Bob  Marshall  was  scarcely  less  dangerous  than 
that  of  the  Hottentot.  In  one  respect  it  was  not  so  bad,  for  he  was  seated  m  the 
stern,  while  it  was  the  front  portion  which  collapsed  like  an  egg-shell  in  the  terrific 
vise.  Indeed,  had  Pongo  been  a  whit  less  spry,  his  body  would  surely  have  been 
crushed  to  a  jelly. 

What  Bob  did  will  scarcely  be  believed  when  told ;  nevertheless  it  is  strictly 


326  THE    CRASH    OF    SPLINTERING    WOOD. 

true  and  was  witnessed  by  his  cousin  and  Diedrick.  The  youth  insists  (doubtless 
with  truth),  that  the  act  was  in  obedience  to  the  instinctive  impulse  that  comes 
over  man  and  animal  alike  in  the  crisis  of  extreme  danger. 

He  sprang  to  his  feet  at  the  moment  the  stern  of  the  dug-out  went  down,  because 
the  front  was  raised  by  the  jaws  of  the  hippopotamus,  with  the  intention  of  leaping 
to  the  raft ;  but  that  was  too  far  off  to  be  reached  at  a  single  bound,  and  he  natu- 
rally dreaded  to  enter  the  water  when  the  monster  was  so  near. 

Just  as  the  under  jaw  of  the  behemoth  met  the  upper  one,  Bob  sprang  forward 
and  placed  one  foot  upon  her  back. 

It  was  only  for  an  instant  that  his  weight  rested  on  that  extraordinary  foot- 
stool, when  he  made  a  flying  leap,  which  carried  him  to  the  raft,  his  momentum 
almost  precipitating  him  into  the  water  on  the  other  side,  despite  the  hand  which 
Diedrick  threw  out  to  check  him. 

The  hippopotamus  has  never  been  accused  of  possessing  unusual  intelligence, 
and  it  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  the  particular  one  of  which  I  am  speaking  ever 
knew  that  her  head,  for  a  brief  space  of  time,  bore  the  weight  of  an  exceedingly 
frightened  youth.  Could  the  creature  have  foreseen  the  act,  no  doubt  she  would 
have  opened  her  capacious  jaws  and  taken  him  in. 

It  followed,  also,  that  in  the  wild  confusion  of  the  moment  the  monster  was 
slightly  bewildered.  She  did  not  follow  the  Bushman  when  he  made  his  desperate 
leap,  as  I  have  already  shown,  nor  for  a  minute  or  so  did  she  comprehend  that  the 
major  portion  of  the  party  upon  whom  she  had  charged  were  still  within  her  reach. 

There  was  no  possible  means  of  escaping  the  hippopotamus  by  flight,  and 
Diedrick  was  too  wise  to  attempt  it. 

"  Shoot  her  !  shoot  her !  "  he  called  out,  flinging  down  his  pole  on  the  raft  and 
catching  up  his  gun. 

The  excited  words  were  yet  in  his  mouth  when  Bob,  taking  the  best  aim  he 
could  in  the  gloom,  lodged  a  ball  in  the  skull  of  the  beast.  Dick  almost  touched 
the  head  when  he  too  pulled  trigger,  and  the  Hottentot  was  equally  prompt  in  dis- 
charging his  weapon. 

Thus,  in  the  briefest  possible  time,  two  bullets  and  a  charge  of  shot  were  fired 
into  the  hippopotamus,  not  one  of  them  failing  to  "  reach  home." 

But,  even  with  such  wounds,  the  beast  would  have  been  able  to  inflict  fatal 
injuries  upon  all  three  of  her  enemies  but  for  the  fact  that  the  ball  fired  by  Bob  was 
providentially  directed.  It  went  plumb  into  the  right  eye,  and  thus  ploughed  its 
way  to  her  brain. 

The  other  two  shots  did  scarcely  less  damage,  though  they  could  not  have  been 
so  instant  in  their  effects.  As  it  was,  she  was  rendered  furious  and  partially 
blind.  She  emitted  a  rasping  grunt  and  charged  upon  the  ruins  of  the  dug-out. 
Her  impetuosity  carried  her  almost  over  the  crushed  log,  and,  instead  of  grasp- 
ing it  in  her  distended  jaws,  her  forequarters  bore  it  under  the  surface  and  out 
of  sight. 

At  that  juncture  she  seemed  to  gain  some  idea  of  the  true  state  of  affairs,  and, 


THE    CRASH    OF    SPLINTERING   WOOD. 


327 


making  a  circle  with  such  a  rush  that  the  water  foamed  away  from  her  head  as  it 
does  from  a  rapidly  driven  boat,  she  plunged  toward  the  raft  on  which  our  three 
friends  were  standing. 

She  acted  as  though  she  comprehended  her  mistake  and  was  determined  to 
correct  it  before  it  was  too  late. 


CHAPTER  LIX. 

A  STROKE  OF  FORTUNE. 

was  the  golden  opportunity  for  the  repeating  rifles  with   which  the 
boys  were  furnished.     Diedrick  had  emptied  the  shot-gun  into  the  head  of 
the   beast,  but  he  made  no  attempt  to  use  the  weapon  further,  leaving  his 
companions  to  complete  the  work  so  well  begun. 

"What  are  you  doing?"  called  Jack  Harvey  from  the  shore;  "why  don't  you 
fill  her  full  of  lead?" 

And  that  is  precisely  what  Bob  and  Dick  proceeded  to  do  in  the  most  approved 
fashion.  The  shot  that  the  former  sent  into  the  eye  of  the  animal  bewildered  her 
so  that  the  charge  which  she  made  upon  the  raft  miscarried,  she  ploughing  by  it 
in  the  most  grotesque  manner. 

Realizing  her  failure,  she  turned  again,  but  by  this  time  her  fearful  wounds  pro- 
duced their  inevitable  effect,  and  becoming  suddenly  motionless,  she  disappeared 
beneath  the  surface  like  the  sinking  of  an  enormous  diving-bell. 
The  behemoth  was  dead  and  was  seen  no  more. 

During  this  flurry,  our  two  friends  on  the  shore  were  in  what  may  be  called  a 
state  of  mind.  They  had  set  out  with  the  expectation  of  taking  charge  of  the  hip- 
popotamus business,  and  yet,  through  the  rush  of  circumstances,  it  had  passed 
wholly  out  of  their  hands  and  was  pushed  to  an  issue  by  the  boys  and  natives. 

"  I  think,  Carl,"  said  the  Texan,  stamping  back  and  forth,  half  exasperated  from 
his  enforced  idleness,  "  that  there  must  be  more  of  those  critters  'round  here,  since 
they  herd  together,  and  I  don't  propose  to  let  the  folks  out  there  have  all  the  fun." 
"  It  was  that  shot  of  mine  that  played  the  mischief,"  replied  the  director,  "  but 
things  are  so  lively  out  on  the  stream,  that  I'm  afraid  something'  may  have  gone 
wrong  with  the  boys." 

"  Have  no  fear,"  was  the  reassuring  response  of  the  Texan,  who,  as  he  afterward 
stated,  was  without  the  least  concern  for  his  young  friends  :  "  they  have  their  guns, 
and,  from  the  way  things  sound,  they  are  using  them  to  advantage." 

"  There  is  no  telling  how  things  may  turn  out  —  helloa  !  what's  this?" 
The  exclamation  of  Mr.  Godkin  was  caused  by  the  appearance  of  a  man's  head 
on  the  surface  of  the  water  rapidly  approaching. 

"  Is  that  you,  Pongo  ?  "  asked  the  director,  stepping  to  the  edge  of  the  stream 
and  peering  out  in  the  gloom. 

"It  me  —  Pongo,"  was  the  answer,  and  the  next  minute  the  Bushman  rose  to 
his  feet  and  walked  ashore. 

"  Why  didn't  you  come  in  the  dug-out  ?  "  was  the  query  of  Jack  Harvey,  who  sus- 
pected what  had  taken  place. 

328 


A    STROKE    OF    FORTUNE.  329 

"How  come  in  dug-out  when  ain't  any  dug-out  come  in  —  eh?" 

"What's  become  of  it?" 

"  River-horse  chaw  him  up." 

"Ah,"  laughed  Mr.  Godkin,  "that  makes  anoth  ;r  matter  of  it;  your  explanation 
is  accepted ;  how  are  the  boys  getting  along  ?  " 

"  Get  'long  like  thunder,"  was  the  rather  startling  reply  of  the  Bushman,  who 
did  not  enjoy  the  bath  he  was  compelled  to  take  because  of  the  attack  of  the  behe- 
moth. 

Meanwhile  the  men  kept  up  communication  with  the  young  gentlemen  on  the 
raft,  who  announced  about  this  time  that  their  assailant  was  killed  and  Diedrick 
was  hard  at  work  pushing  the  support  toward  them. 

A  few  minutes  later  the  awkward  craft  and  the  three  figures  loomed  to  view 
through  the  darkness,  and  soon  all  parties  were  shaking  hands  and  congratulating 
each  other  on  the  fortunate  issue  of  the  hunt. 

But,  as  you  will  recall,  the  real  business  that  had  brought  them  thither  remained 
unaccomplished.  They  had  slain  the  mother  hippopotamus,  but  had  not  captured 
her  young,  nor  could  any  one  tell  where  it  was  to  be  found. 

The  dug-out  would  have  been  a  most  convenient  help  in  searching  for  it,  but 
the  boat  had  been  destroyed,  and  all  that  remained  was  the  raft.  When  our  friends 
came  to  step  upon  this  it  would  not  sustain  them. 

"  Me  swim,"  said  Pongo,  springing  into  the  water  and  striking  out  for  the  other 
shore.  Inasmuch  as  he  had  already  had  a  souse,  there  was  no  hardship  in  this  act. 
Diedrick  would  have  imitated  him  had  there  been  necessity  for  doing  so,  but  the 
structure  was  found  just  buoyant  enough  to  bear  the  three  men  and  two  boys,  while 
the  Hottentot  was  serviceable  in  using  the  pole. 

The  progress  of  the  raft  could  not  equal  that  of  the  Bushman,  who  swam  with  a 
powerful,  easy  stroke  that  would  have  delighted  a  professional.  The  current  seemed 
to  cause  him  no  trouble,  while  the  structure  drifted  considerably  down  stream  before 
it  made  the  other  bank. 

At  the  very  moment  that  it  entered  the  tall  grass  a  great  splashing  was  heard 
some  way  above,  and  the  well-known  voice  of  Pongo  rang  out : 

"  Come  help  —  me  got  him  —  fight  hard  !  " 

Every  one  on  the  raft  leaped  off  and  dashed  through  the  water  and  vegetation  to 
the  spot  where  the  native  was  struggling  with  something. 

Pongo  had  no  thought  of  anything  of  the  kind,  but  was  swimming  leisurely,  and 
finding  he  could  reach  bottom  with  his  feet,  stopped  floating  and  began  walking 
out  on  land. 

He  had  reached  a  point  where  the  water  came  only  to  his  knees,  when  he  was 
startled  by  some  queer-looking  creature  rushing  from  the  grass  and  impetuously 
attacking  him. 

It  was  on  him  before  he  could  retreat,  but,  fortunately,  its  capacity  for  inflicting 
injury  was  less  than  its  will,  and  the  nose  which  it  banged  against  the  legs  of  the 
Bushman  did  no  harm,  though  it  came  nigh  knocking  him  over. 


330 


A    STROKE    OF    FORTUNE. 


Pongo  recognized  it  at  this  moment,  and,  knowing  the  anxiety  oi  his  employers 
to  obtain  a  young  hippopotamus,  he  resolutely  grappled  with  it  and  shouted  for  help. 
Notwithstanding  its  youth,  the  little  pumpkin-bellied  creature  fought  and  floun- 
dered with  such  vigor  that  it  required  the  united  exertions  of  Pongo,  Mr.  Godkin 
and  Jack  Harvey  to  overcome  and  get  it  out  on  dry  land,  where  it  still  rolled, 
rooted,  butted  and  grunted  like  a  pig  with  the  colic. 

Had  they  been  a  little  farther  from  camp,  they  would  have  sent  thither  for  con- 
veniences to  help  carry  it,  for  the  little  one  was  so  bulky  that  it  was  too  big  a  load 

for  a  single  person  to  transport  far 
without  help.  As  it  was,  however, 
the  distance  was  brief,  and  it  was 
brought  in  after  considerable  diffi- 
culty and  lodged  in  its  quarters, 
which,  I  may  say,  was  all  the  room 
that  remained  at  the  disposal  of 
the  hunters,  though,  of  course, 
more  could  have  been  arranged. 

"That  winds  up  our  work  of 
catching  animals  in  South  Africa," 
said  Mr.  Godkin,  once  more  re- 
suming his  seat  around  the  camp- 
fire;  "to-morrow  we  begin  to  make 
preparations  for  the  journey  to 
Port  Natal." 

"But,"  said  Dick  Brownell, 
"  the  largest  animal  of  all  has  not 
been  caught." 

"You  mean  the  elephant?  1 
did  intend  to  try  to  secure  one  or 
two  of  them,  but  our  chief  said 
he  needed  them  less  than  any 
other  curiosities.  He  has  a  large 
number  with  his  show,  and  if 
he  needs  more  he  will  meet  no 
trouble  in  buying  them.  He  told 

me  not  to  put  myself  out  to  secure  them,  though  if  a  good  opportunity  presented, 
I  might  gather  some  in.     We  may  gain  a  chance  on  the  way." 

True  to  what  he  said,  the  preparations  were  made  at  an  early  hour  the  next  day 
to  start  for  the  sea-coast.  It  was  a  big  job,  and  the  journey  was  necessarily  long, 
tedious  and  excessively  trying. 

They  had  a  goodly  number  of  captives  which  required  constant  and  careful 
attention.  There  were  the  two  young  leopards,  the  hartbeest,  the  eland,  the 
young  lion,  two  oryxes,  mother  and  young  giraffe,  mother  and  young  zebra,  por- 


"COME,  HELP!" 


A   STROKE    OF    FORTUNE.  331 

cupine,  secretary-bird,  baboon,  and  the  young  rhinoceros  and  hippopotamus. 
These  of  themselves  formed  a  goodly  menagerie,  and  my  friends  could  count  them- 
selves fortunate  if  they  succeeded  in  reaching  Port  Natal  without  the  loss  of  more 
than  three  or  four. 

Mr.  Godkin's  experience  in  the  business  fitted  him  better  than  any  man  that 
could  have  been  selected  for  the  delicate  and  difficult  work.  There  seemed  no 
possible  contingency  of  which  he  did  not  think  and  for  which  he  did  not  provide. 

But  he  assured  me  that  of  all  the  tasks  he  ever  undertook,  that  of  conducting  the 
train  and  the  animals  through  the  long  stretch  of  desert  and  mountainous  country, 
from  a  point  west  of  the  center  of  Southern  Africa  to  Port  Natal,  was  the  hardest. 
He  suffered  three  attacks  from  wild  men  in  which  Valmur  and  Gooboo  were  killed, 
and  Orak  was  again  wounded,  —  this  time  so  severely  that  he  will  never  fully  re- 
cover from  it.  In  the  second  fight  Pongo  distinguished  himself  by  instantly  killing 
one  of  the  assailants  with  a  boomerang,  decapitating  him  as  neatly  as  it  could  have 
been  done  by  the  sword  of  a  Crusader. 

Govozy,  another  native,  fell  sick  when  in  the  Orange  Free  State,  and,  despite 
everything  that  could  be  done,  died  and  was  buried  in  one  of  the  wildest  glens  in 
the  mountains. 

Both  Bob  Marshall  and  Dick  Brownell  became  ill  with  some  fever  peculiar  to 
the  country,  but  fortunately  they  pulled  through,  and  expressed  themselves  as  being 
stronger  than  ever. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  the  baboon  managed  to  break  his  way  out  of  the 
cage  in  which  he  was  confined,  but,  before  he  was  fairly  started  on  the  highway  to 
freedom,  Jack  Harvey's  lasso  yanked  him  back  again. 

The  rhinoceros  and  hippopotamus  developed  such  amazing  appetites  that  they 
threatened  to  raise  a  famine  in  the  expedition.  Three  of  the  oxen,  two  of  the  goats 
and  one  of  the  horses  perished  on  the  way,  but  when,  at  last,  the  far-off  destination 
was  reached,  and  the  wearied  party  looked  out  on  the  flashing  waters  of  the  Indian 
Ocean,  not  a  single  one  of  the  captives  was  missing,  and  all  were  in  excellent 
condition. 

It  was  an  exploit  of  which  any  person  might  feel  proud,  and  the  handsome  gold 
watch  and  chain  which  Mr.  Carl  Godkin  now  wears  was  sent  to  him  as  a  token  of 
the  appreciation  of  his  employers  for  his  skill  and  devotion. 

At  Port  Natal,  the  remaining  natives  were  paid  liberally  for  their  services,  with 
the  promise  that  when  my  agents  went  that  way  again,  they  would  be  sought  out 
and  re-engaged,  for  they  had  rendered  most  excellent  service,  and  Pongo  and 
Diedrick  especially  had  proven  themselves  beyond  value.  I  have  met  other 
travelers  in  South  Africa  who  have  employed  them,  and  they  all  speak  in  the  highest 
terms  of  their  faithfulness  and  skill. 

When  I  add  that  the  captive  birds  and  animals,  which  were  shipped  from  Port 
Natal  to  England,  and  thence  to  America,  made  the  long  voyage  in  safety,  with  the 
exception  of  one  of  the  leopard  kittens  and  an  oryx,  you  will  agree  with  me  that  the 
expedition  which  I  sent  into  South  Africa  was  brilliantly  successful  in  every  respect 


CHAPTER  LX. 

THE    GUNS    OF    BURRISAUL. 

R.  CARL  GODKIN,  the  director,  was  not  disappointed  in  his  expectation 
of  receiving  a  communication  from  his  employers  on  his  arrival  at  Port 
Natal.  In  fact,  he  found  several  awaiting  him,  for  his  return  had  been  de- 
layed far  beyond  the  period  that  had  been  anticipated.  They  knew  he  would  be  in 
need  of  funds,  and  made  sure  that  he  did  not  lack  in  that  essential  respect. 

But  he  acquainted  his  friends  with  the  contents  of  one  letter,  which  interested 
them  beyond  measure.  Mr.  Godkin  was  ordered  to  divide  his  forces,  and,  since 
they  wished  to  leave  no  room  for  discussion,  they  gave  minute  directions  as  to  what 
should  be  done. 

Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  Brownell  were  to  go  to  India  and  devote  several  months 
to  the  capture  of  wild  animals  peculiar  to  that  country,  while  Jack  Harvey  and  Bob 
Marshall  were  to  find  their  way  up  the  west  coast  of  Africa  to  the  Gaboon  country, 
where  they  were  to  do  their  utmost  to  buy  or  capture  a  couple  of  gorillas,  the  same 
number  of  chimpanzees,  and  any  other  curiosities  worth  securing.  They  were  told 
to  let  no  expense  stand  in  the  way  of  their  success  either  in  India  or  Western  Africa. 

You  would  suppose  that  Dick  Brownell  would  have  been  much  disappointed  in 
finding  himself  shut  out  from  the  expedition  on  which  he  had  set  his  heart,  but  I 
am  happy  to  say  that  it  was  otherwise.  The  taste  that  he  had  had  of  sickness  and 
the  sufferings  he  had  undergone  from  the  African  climate  resulted  in  lessening  his 
enthusiasm  for  that  country,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  he  wrote  me  the  truth  when 
he  said  that  if  he  had  been  given  his  choice  between  Africa  and  India  he  would  have 
selected  the  latter. 

Since  Bob  Marshall  was  equally  positive  that  he  would  have  fixed  upon  Equatorial 
Africa  as  the  scene  of  his  hunting  experiences,  I  really  think  they  were  fortunate 
enough  to  make  the  best  possible  arrangement  all  around. 

Inasmuch  as  Jack  Harvey,  who  was  also  pleased  with  his  appointed  task,  and 
Bob  were  left  to  their  own  devices  to  reach  their  destination,  they  decided  to  take 
ship  to  Cape  Town,  where  they  were  confident  they  would  not  have  to  wait  long 
before  finding  passage  to  the  western  coast. 

With  the  good  luck  which  seemed  always  to  attend  him,  Mr.  Godkin  had  no  diffi- 
culty in  arranging  for  the  transport  of  his  animals  to  England.  He  was  obliged  to 
spend  several  days  in  Port  Natal,  for  which  all  were  glad,  since  it  deferred  for  a 
short  time  the  hour  of  separation  that  no  one  could  not  say  would  be  final. 

It  was  on  one  of  the  pleasant  evenings  that  our  friends  spent  in  each  other  s 
company  that  they  fell  to  discussing  the  countries  which  were  their  respective 
destinations. 

532 


THE    GUNS    OF   BURRISAUL.  333 

Mr.  Godkin  had  little  to  say  about  Equatorial  Africa,  for  he  had  never  visited 
the  section,  but  when  they  spoke  of  Hindostan  he  was  at  home,  for  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  had  been  spent  in  that  remarkable  region,  which,  though  a  dependency  of 
England,  contains  more  than  four  times  its  population. 

Bob  and  Dick  reminded  their  friend  that  he  had  promised  to  tell  them  about  his 
singular  experience  in  India  many  years  before,  and  that  there  could  be  no  time 
more  favorable  for  the  telling  than  the  present.  The  gentleman  seemed  loth  to 
relate  the  story,  but,  since  he  had  given  his  promise,  he  could  not  refuse,  and  you 
may  be  sure  he  had  attentive  listeners  to  his  narrative,  which  I  think  is  interesting 
enough  to  insert  in  this  place. 

"  I  believe  I  told  you,"  said  he,  after  lighting  his  pipe,  "  that  when  I  first  went 
to  India  for  Mr.  Barnum,  it  was  before  either  of  you  young  gentlemen  was  born. 
In  fact,  I  reached  the  country  in  the  year  1857,  just  in  time  to  be  caught  in  the 
swirl  of  the  Sepoy  mutiny,  which  horrified  the  whole  civilized  world,  and  I  can  say 
that  among  all  the  strange  adventures  which  befell  the  foreign  residents  enveloped 
in  that  lurid  tragedy,  I  don't  think  any  one  had  a  more' extraordinary  experience 
than  I. 

"  I  had  a  cousin,  who  was  a  missionary,  living  with  his  wife  and  three  children 
two  miles  south  of  Dacca.  I  was  but  a  youth,  when,  fulfilling  a  promise,  I  reached 
their  pleasant  home  in  the  latter  part  of  June,  1857,  which,  as  you  know,  was  the 
month  succeeding  the  first  outbreak  at  Meerut,  where  the  troops  mutinied  on 
Sunday,  May  loth.  In  the  same  month  ths  Mogul  Empire  was  proclaimed  at  Delhi. 

"  I  had  a  pretty  rough  time  on  the  road  to  Dacca,  for  there  were  signs  of  the 
upheaval  all  around  me,  though  I,  like  most  of  the  Europeans,  was  inclined  to 
believe  that  it  would  amount  to  little  and  would  soon  be  suppressed. 

"  I  had  sent  no  notice  to  cousin  Fred  of  my  coming,  knowing  I  would  be  welcome 
at  any  time,  and  the  result  was,  when  I  arrived  at  his  home,  I  found  that  he  and 
his  family  had  left  several  weeks  before,  and  were  probably  at  that  very  hour  in 
Calcutta,  safe  under  the  guns  of  Fort  William. 

"But  Fred's  house  was  open  and  in  charge  of  a  single  native  servant,  Kush-awa, 
a  converted  Hindoo,  of  whom  he  had  often  written  me.  The  native  was  as  devoted 
as  a  Newfoundland  dog,  so  Fred  wrote,  and  he  declared  he  would  unhesitatingly 
place  his  life  in  his  hands ;  but  I  distrusted  the  fellow  from  the  first. 

"  He  spoke  English  well,  and,  when  I  made  known  my  identity,  he  told  me  that 
his  master  had  often  spoken  of  me,  and  with  such  affection  that  he  (tha  native) 
loved  me  before  he  saw  me.  He  was  tall,  thin,  muscular  and  reserved,  scarcely 
ever  speaking  unless  first  addressed  by  me. 

"  At  that  season  the  weather  in  India  is  like  sheol,  and  much  as  I  wanted  to  get 
out  and  follow  Fred  to  Calcutta,  before  the  road  thither  was  closed  by  the  mutineers, 
I  hesitated  to  start  on  account  of  the  frightful  temperature.  I  still  hoped  that  the 
skies  would  clear  and  that  affairs  would  speedily  settle  down  as  before. 

"One  characteristic  of  Kush-awa  deepened  my  distrust  of  him.  He  had  a  habit 
of  moving  about  with  such  silent  stealth  that  he  reminded  me  of  a  cobra.  Often, 


334 


THE    GUNS    OF    BURRISAUL. 


when  stretched  in  a  hammock  reading  or  smoking,  I  instinctively  felt  that  some 
danger  was  near,  and,  looking  about  suddenly,  found  him  standing  a  few  paces  off, 
watching  me  with  strange  intensity.  The  moment  he  saw  he  was  discovered,  he 
would  move  away  with  the  same  noiselessness,  only  to  fix  his  stare  upon  me  from 
some  other  point  where  he  fancied  he  was  invisible. 

"  One  Sunday  morning  Kush-awa  asked  permission  to  be  absent  until  nightfall, 
and  I  willingly  granted  it,  for,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  felt  that  it  would  be  a  vast  relief 
to  be  rid  of  the  fellow,  even  for  a  day.  You  see,  I  had  made  myself  at  home  in 
cousin  Fred's  house,  for  that  was  just  what  he  vvould  have  wanted  me  to  do  had  he 
known  I  was  there. 

"  So  Kush-awa  took  his  departure  and  I  settA  d  down  to  enjoy,  or  rather  to 
worry  through  the  day  as  best  I  could. 

"Whew  !  wasn't  it  hot?  I  had  eaten  lightly  of  fruit  in  the  morning,  had  taken 
a  draught  of  goat's  milk,  and  would  not  need  another  mouthful  of  food  before  night. 
I  did  little  but  loll  in  one  of  the  hammocks,  smoking  cheroots  and  reading.  I 
dawdled  over  a  novel  until  the  letters  ran  together,  the  thread  of  the  story  melted 
into  nothingness,  and  I  sank  into  sleep. 

"  When  I  awoke,  the  afternoon  was  well  along  and  I  felt  disgusted  and  sticky. 
A  species  of  green-winged  fly  was  boring  into  my  nostrils,  and  several  millions, 
more  or  less,  of  red-legged  ants  were  crawling  down  my  back.  Sitting  upright,  I 
sniffed  vigorously,  slapped  spitefully  and  brushed  furiously,  anathematizing,  mean- 
while, the  oven-like  climate  that  caused  all  this  suffering. 

"  My  hammock  was  swung  between  two  trees  in  front  of  the  house.  To  my  left 
wound  the  road  to  Dacca,  there  being  a  dense  wood  on  both  sides  of  the  highway, 
so  that  it  may  be  said  the  bamboo  house  stood  in  a  sort  of  clearing  in  the  Indian 
forest.  Still,  the  shade  was  so  plentiful  that  hardly  a  ray  of  sunlight  forced  its 
way  through  the  exuberant  vegetation.  But  to  me  the  heat  seemed  all  the  more 
oppressive  on  that  account. 

"  Looking  to  the  wood  or  jungle  on  the  left,  I  suddenly  became  aware  that  it 
contained  a  number  of  men,  approaching  with  such  stealth  that  there  could  be  no 
doubt  they  meant  to  surround  the  house,  or  perhaps  to  rush  upon  me  before  I  could 
take  refuge  within  doors. 

"  It  flashed  upon  me  at  once  that  these  natives,  of  whom  I  caught  glimpses, 
were  Sepoys  whom  Kush-awa  had  brought  from  Dacca  to  kill  me.  He  had  gone  to 
town  that  morning  for  the  express  purpose  of  guiding  them  thither,  and  had  I  not 
opened  my  eyes  when  I  did,  I  never  would  have  opened  them  in  this  world. 

"  Now,  it  was  a  custom  with  me,  when  stretching  out  in  the  hammock,  to  lean 
my  rifle  against  the  nearest  tree.  Like  all  new-comers  in  India,  I  had  magnified 
ideas  of  the  perils  which  impended,  though  it  may  seem  that  that  was  impossible, 
since  the  Sepoy  mutiny  was  fairly  under  way. 

"  The  instant  I  discovered  the  swarthy  figures  moving  among  the  trees  like  so 
many  Indians,  I  sprang  up,  seized  my  gun,  took  a  quick  aim  at  the  nearest  wretch 
and  pulled  trigger. 


THE    GUNS    OF    BURKISAUL. 


335 


I  PULLED  TRIGGER." 


"The  screech  which  fol- 
lowed showed  that  there  was 
one  less  mutineer  left  to  raise 
the  mischief  in  India,  and  I 
made  a  dash  into  the  house, 
accompanied  by  several  shots 
which  whistled  all  about  me. 

"  Hastily  shutting  the  doors,  I  prepared  to  die  with  my  boots,  or  rather  slippers, 
jn.  The  house  had  never  been  intended  to  serve  as  a  fort,  and  though  Fred  had  left 
his  loaded  rifle  within,  and  I  had  my  fully  charged  revolver  at  command,  there  was  no 
prospect  of  my  being  able  to  hold  out  long. 

"  Wheeling  about,  I  observed  a  dozen  dusky  miscreants  running  across  the 
highway,  brandishing  their  knives,  shrieking  and  fairly  leaping  with  joy  at  the 
prospect  of  the  treat  before  them  in  putting  me  to  a  cruel  death. 

"  In  that  fearful  moment,  while  I  stood  by  the  side  of  a  window,  with  Jack's  loaded 
rifle  in  hand,  I  held  my  fire  a  moment,  while  I  anxiously  looked  for  Kush-awa,  the 
treacherous  villain  that  had  brought  this  upon  me.  I  wanted  to  bore  a  hole  through 
his  bronzed  skull  before  I  succumbed. 

"  But  he  was  invisible,  and  I  let  drive  at  the  nearest  fiend,  who  went  down  with 
a  howl  that  fairly  made  the  leaves  tremble. 

"  This  acted  as  a  temporary  check  of  the  ardent  Sepoys,  who  instantly  scattered 
to  cover. 

"  But  I  knew  they  would  not  remain  quiet  long,  and,  when  they  made  a  united 
charge,  even  though  I  defended  myself  with  the  utmost  desperation,  nothing  could 
save  me. 

"  It  was  at  this  critical  juncture,  when  the  natives  were  like  so  many  tigers 
gathering  themselves  for  a  spring,  that  I  heard  distinctly  the  boom  of  a  gun, 
followed  by  another  and  another  in  quick  succession,  just  as  if  a  cannonade  was 
going  on  only  a  few  hundred  yards  to  the  south. 


336  THE    GUNS    OF    BURRISAUL. 

"  Before  1  could  form  the  faintest  idea  of  what  it  meant,  I  caught  the  terrified 
cry: 

" '  The  Feringhees  are  coming!  fly!  fly! ' 

"  It  was  uttered  by  one  of  the  natives  in  Hindustanee,  and  instantly  the  whole 
party  of  Sepoys  skurried  away,  vanishing  from  sight  with  incredible  quickness. 

"  The  booming  continued,  though  it  did  not  approach,  and,  while  I  stood  won- 
dering what  it  could  mean,  and  speculating  as  to  what  I  ought  to  do,  if,  indeed,  I 
could  do  anything,  Kush-awa  dashed  forward,  calling  out  in  an  excited  undertone: 

"  '  Run,  sahib  !  quick,  sahib  f  they  will  soon  be  back  !  ' 

"  It  was  taking  desperate  chances,  but,  yielding  to  an  instinct  which  I  did  not 
understand,  I  followed  him  within  the  jungle,  and  a  couple  of  hours  later,  under  his 
pilotage,  reached  Dacca.  From  that  point,  with  the  help  of  trusty  friends,  I  suc- 
ceeded finally  in  entering  the  British  lines,  and  was  never  again  in  serious  danger 
from  the  mutineers. 

"  Now,  as  to  the  explanation  :  Kush-awa  was  going  to  Dacca  when  he  met  the 
Sepoys  on  their  way  to  the  missionary's  house  to  destroy  him  and  his  family. 
Kush-awa  told  them  the  people  were  gone,  but  one  of  them  knew  of  my  presence, 
and  they  were  determined  to  slay  me.  Kush-awa  did  not  dare  pretend  the  friend- 
ship he  telt,  and  he  accompanied  them  back,  hoping  a  chance  would  offer  to  give 
me  warning  of  my  danger. 

"  The  booming,  cannon-like  sounds  unexpectedly  presented  an  opportunity  of 
which  he  took  instant  advantage,  and,  before  the  Sepoys  could  recover  from  their 
astonishment  and  panic,  I  was  beyond  their  reach." 

"But  what  were  those  sounds  that  saved  you?"  asked  the  wondering  youths. 

"The  guns  of  Burrisaul,  which,  although  never  fully  explained,  will  doubtless 
be  understood  before  long.  One  of  the  stations  in  the  Sunderbunds  of  India  is 
Burrisaul,  and  it  has  given  its  name  to  certain  singular  noises  which  are  sometimes 
noticed  in  that  region  during  the  rainy  season.  There  seems  to  be  no  reason  why 
the  sounds  should  be  specially  connected  with  Burrisaul,  for  they  are  heard  at 
Backerjung  and  even  at  Dacca.  The  explosions,  which  resemble  the  booming  of 
cannon,  vary  in  frequency.  They  are  only  heard  during  the  rainy  season  ;  they 
proceed  from  the  south,  are  audible  one  hundred  miles  inland,  they  still  come  from 
the  south  even  on  the  sea-coast,  and  are  very  slightly,  if  any,  louder  in  one  place 
than  in  another." 

As  Mr.  Godkin  said,  the  phenomenon  known  as  the  guns  of  Burrisaul  has  not 
yet  been  sufficiently  investigated  to  be  understood.  The  cause  is  evidently  atmos- 
pheric and,  no  doubt,  we  shall  learn  all  about  it  in  time.  To  quote  an  authority, 
explained  or  unexplained,  as  surely  as  July  comes  round,  far  out  in  the  tropic  Sun- 
derbunds, through  the  long  darkness,  in  hushes  of  the  splashing  rain,  and  amid  the 
hum  of  myriads  of  insects,  to  wakeful  and  feverish  ears  throb  the  strange  discharges 
of  this  mysterious  artillery,  and  startled  sleepers  sink  back  relieved,  exclaiming, 
"  'Tis  but  the  guns  of  Burrisaul !  " 


CHAPTER  LXI. 

AN    UNPLEASANT    BEDFELLOW. 

time  has  now  arrived  when  I  must  take  up  the  history  of  .ny  friends,  and, 
for  awhile,  pursue  them  separately. 

A  thrilling  experience  fell  to  the  lot  of  both  parties,  and  I  propose  to  give 
the  narratives  in  full,  leaving  the  account  of  Jack  Harvey  and  Bob  Marshall's  adven- 
tures in  Equatorial  Africa,  in  search  of  the  gorilla,  chimpanzee,  and  other  curiosities, 
for  the  close  of  this  volume.  Having  seen  them  started  on  their  way  to  that  pes- 
tilential region,  by  way  of  Cape  Town,  we  will  follow  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  Brownell 
to  India,  where  I  am  sure  you  will  find  their  experiences  worth  reading. 

I  have  not  time  nor  the  space,  nor  would  you  care  to  have  me  give  the  particu- 
lars of  the  voyage  to  Calcutta  and  up  the  Ganges  to  Lucknow,  famous  for  the 
massacre  and  siege  during  the  Sepoy  mutiny  of  which  Mr.  Godkin  had  given  an 
entertaining  incident. 

Let  us  open  the  story  after  the  arrival  of  our  friends  in  that  neighborhood,  ful-ly 
prepared  for  the  prosecution  of  their  search  for  natural  curiosities  for  The  Greatest 
Show  on  Earth. 

A  mishap  occurred  on  the  very  threshold  of  the  enterprise.  WhLe  completing 
their  arrangements  in  Lucknow,  some  conscienceless  thief  stole  both  their  repeating 
rifles.  The  help  of  the  police  was  secured,  but  no  trace  of  the  weapons  could  be 
•found,  and,  unwilling  to  lose  any  more  valuable  time,  and  unable  to  obtain  Win- 
chesters, Mr.  Godkin  secured  a  couple  of  the  well-known  English  Express  pattern, 
with  twenty-two  inch  barrel,  single  shot  breech-loaders.  They  set  out  on  their 
hunt  with  some  misgiving,  but  consoled  themselves  with  the  thought  that  their 
fire-arms  were  of  the  kind  popular  with  English  sportsmen,  and  they  had  figured  in 
some  of  the  most  stirring  adventures  in  the  jungles  of  India. 

Dick  Brownell  was  a  young  man  who  kept  his  eyes  and  ears  open,  and  strove  to 
acquaint  himself  with  everything  worth  learning.  I  cannot  pretend  to  give  one- 
half  of  the  entertaining  contents  of  his  letters,  but  I  recall  that  he  said  he  was 
specially  interested  in  two  animals  of  which  he  saw  numerous  specimens  before 
engaging  in  hunting  in  India. 

One  of  these  was  the  domestic  beast  known  as  the  zebu,  which  has  a  curious  fatty 
hump  projecting  from  the  withers,  and  a  heavy  dewlap  falling  in  thick  folds  from 
the  throat.  The  zebu  is  a  quiet,  intelligent  animal,  and  is  used  in  drawing  either 
carriages  or  plows. 

One  of  the  most  familiar  varieties  is  the  famous  Brahmin  bull,  which,  being 
stamped  with  the  sacred  mark  of  Siva,  is  allowed  to  wander  about  and  do  just  as  it 
pleases,  no  one  venturing  to  disturb  or  offend  him  in  the  slightest  degree. 
22  337 


338 


AN  UNPLEASANT  BEDFELLOW. 


The  gayal  abounds  among  the  hills  forming  the  eastern  boundary  of  Bengal.  It 
is  truly  a  valuable  animal,  its  milk  being  very  rich,  while  its  flesh  is  extremely 
palatable.  The  gayal  is  easily  domesticated,  and,  as  you  will  observe  from  the 
illustration,  is  quite  attractive  in  appearance. 

The  party  of  hunters  included,  beside  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick,  three  experienced 
natives,  all  of  whom  were  old  acquaintances  of  my  agent,  who  had  visited  that 
section  more  than  once  before. 

The  Americans  were  mounted  on  fine,  tough  little  ponies 
common  to  the  country,  but  the  natives  preferred  to  do 
their  work  on  foot. 


SACRED  Cow. 


There  was  some  talk  of  engaging  in  a  tiger  hunt,  which,  if  carried  out,  would  be 
upon  the  backs  of  trained  elephants,  in  accordance  with  the  fashion  of  India. 

It  was  about  ten  o'clock  that  night  that  Dick  stretched  out  to  sleep  until  the 
morrow. 

The  natives  had  gone  to  rest  in  the  home  of  one  of  their  friends,  while  the  boy 
and  Mr.  Godkin  occupied  a  bamboo  structure  that  hardly  deserved  the  name  of  a 
house. 

It  consisted  of  one  room,  without  any  upper  story,  and  with  no  floor,  but  the 
ground  had  been  worn  smooth  and  hard  by  the  feet  of  the  former  occupants. 


AN  UNPLEASANT  BEDFELLOW.  339 

Dick  spread  his  blanket  in  one  corner,  and  flung  himself  upon  it,  the  warmth  of 
the  night  preventing  him  from  throwing  the  covering  over  his  body.  Mr.  Godkin  sat 
in  front  of  the  structure  for  a  long  time  with  his  hookah,  or  native  pipe,  while  Dick, 
with  his  rugged  health  unimpaired,  soon  sank  into  a  sweet,  refreshing  slumber. 

This  sleep  of  the  boy  lasted,  probably,  until  midnight,  when,  without  any  ap- 
parent cause  so  far  as  he  could  tell,  he  opened  his  eyes  in  the  full  possession  of  his 
senses. 

He  was  lying  partly  on  his  left  side,  with  his  face  toward  the  single  opening  in 
the  bamboos,  which  served  as  a  door.  There  being  really  no  door,  of  course  the 
opening  was  always  there,  so  that  it  may  be  said  that  the  name  bungalow  some- 
times given  to  the  building,  was  altogether  undeserved. 

The  moon  was  shining  with  unusual  brightness,  even  for  that  country,  where 
the  light  of  the  orb  sometimes  turns  night  into  day.  It  seemed  to  Dick  that  when 
he  looked  through  the  opening  on  the  other  side  that  the  sun  was  really  out,  though 
a  moment's  thought  convinced  him  it  would  be  a  number  of  hours  before  it  rose. 

Probably  one  half  of  the  interior  was  illuminated  by  a  flood  of  moonlight,  which 
showed  the  form  of  Mr.  Godkin  lying  on  his  blanket  and  sound  asleep,  as  was 
proven  by  his  deep,  heavy  breathing.  He  was  on  the  right-hand  side  of  the  lad, 
there  being  a  space  of  but  a  foot  or  two  between  them. 

"  I  wonder  what  made  me  wake?  "  was  the  thought  that  came  to  Dick,  after  he 
had  looked  around  the  apartment  and  then  noticed  the  form  of  his  friend;  "it  must  be 
the  climate  is  so  hot  in  this  part  of  the  world  that  a  person  unaccustomed  to  it  finds 
it  hard  to  sleep  as  he  does  in  his  own  home." 

He  recalled  that  just  before  falling  asleep,  he  had  drawn  a  portion  of  the  blanket, 
not  over  his  body,  but  across  his  lower  limbs,  which  were  covered  to  the  knees. 
This  act  was  in  obedience  to  a  habit,  for,  as  I  have  shown,  the  temperature  was 
such  that  the  thinnest  clothing  was  a  burden. 

He  now  noticed  that  the  fold  of  the  blanket,  resting  on  the  lower  part  of  his 
legs,  felt  strangely  heavy.  Mr.  Godkin  had  related  an  incident  to  him  the  night 
before,  of  one  of  his  friends  who  had  awoke  in  the  night  and  found  a  hideous  cobra 
coiled  over  his  breast.  This  incident  instantly  came  to  the  mind  of  Dick,  and  for- 
tunately prevented  him  from  kicking  his  limbs  free  of  the  covering,  as  was  his  first 
inclination  to  do. 

"  It  would  be  strange  if  one  of  those  reptiles  had  located  himself  on  my  blanket," 
reflected  the  boy,  adding,  the  next  instant:  "  I  notice  that  smell  like  the  odor  of  raw 
potatoes,  which  the  cobra  gives  out  —  my  gracious  !  it  is  a  cobra  /" 

The  feet  of  the  youth  were  turned  toward  the  door,  so  that,  looking  through  the 
opening  at  the  moonlit  world  beyond,  his  gaze  was  in  a  line  with  his  own  body. 
Furthermore,  the  rays  of  the  moon  entered  the  bamboo  building  far  enough  to 
strike  the  ground  within  a  few  inches  of  where  his  feet  rested. 

Dick  was  looking  intently  at  the  irregular  fold  of  the  blanket  and  fancying  that 
he  dimly  saw  something  else  mixed  with  the  cloth,  when  an  object  slowly  rose  to 
view  between  him  and  the  door,  and  from  the  blanket  across  his  ankles. 


AN  UNPLEASANT  BEDFELLOW. 


Rearing  itself  aloft,  against  the  background  of  moonlight,  it  had  the  appearance 
of  being  stamped  in  ink  on  a  fleecy  curtain:  the  outlines  could  not  have  been  more 
distinct  had  the  sun  been  in  the  zenith. 

One  glance  was  enough:  it  was  a  cobra  de  capello,  the  most  dreaded  serpent  of 
mil  India,  whose  venom  has  a  malignancy  that  approaches  the  miraculous.     A  bite 


THE  GAYAL. 

from  tkis  reptile  is  the  death-warrant  of  the   victim,  as   assuredly  as  if  he  were 
smitten  by  a  bolt  from  heaven. 

The  serpent  had  undoubtedly  been  attracted  by  the  warmth  of  the  lad's  body, 
and  had  coiled  on  the  blanket  which  lay  over  his  lower  limbs  while  he  was  asleep, 
and,  of  course,  after  Mr.  Godkin  had  also  lain  down  and  lost  consciousness. 


AN  UNPLEASANT  BEDFELLOW.  34! 

Although  the  lad  was  not  aware  that  he  had  stirred,  there  must  have  been  a 
slight,  involuntary  twitching  of  his  legs  which  disturbed  the  cobra,  and  caused  him 
to  raise  his  head  threateningly.  This  species  is  easily  alarmed,  and  the  least  move- 
ment on  the  part  of  the  boy  would  have  brought  the  fangs  into  some  part  of  his 
body  with  the  quickness  of  the  lightning's  flash. 

Dick  knew  better  than  to  stir,  but  all  the  same  something  must  be  done! 

He  could  not  lie  still  for  hours  with  that  horrible  thing  coiled  at  his  feet,  and 
holding  itself  ready  to  strike.  Human  nature  was  unequal  to  the  fearful  test, 
especially  when  the  truth  was  also  apparent,  that  if  he  were  able  to  remain  motion- 
less until  daylight,  there  was  no  certainty  that  that  would  bring  safety. 

Dick's  first  thought  was  that,  without  stirring  a  muscle,  he  would  call  the  name 
of  Mr.  Godkin;  but  he  dared  not  do  so,  through  fear  that  the  sound  would  irritate 
the  cobra  to  the  point  of  striking,  while,  if  his  friend  was  a  little  tardy  in  grasping 
the  situation,  he  might  by  some  indiscretion  bring  the  blow  upon  himself. 

"  No ;  I've  got  to  manage  the  snake  myself,"  was  Dick's  conclusion,  "  and  I 
wish  some  one  would  tell  me  what  to  do,  for  I'm  sure  I  don't  know." 


CHAPTER  LXII. 
BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG! 

'HE   hardest  thing  for  Dick   Brownell  was  to  resist  an  inclination  which,  it 
obeyed,  would  have  been  fatal. 

It  seemed  to  him  that  by  a  sudden  kick  of  one  of  his  feet  he  could  fling 
a  part  of  his  blanket  over  the  cobra,  and,  imprisoning  the  reptile  in  the  folds, 
smother  him  before  he  could  strike,  or,  at  any  rate,  so  entangle  him  that  he  could  be 
killed  within  the  cloth. 

But  if  the  first  kick  should  fail  to  catch  the  upraised  head ! 

It  was  most  likely  to  do  so,  in  which  case  the  spectacled  front,  with  the  erect 
hood,  would  shoot  forward  from  the  blanket,  and  inject  the  fatal  poison  before  the 
lad  could  make  another  move. 

No ;  the  risk  was  too  great. 

His  rifle  was  lying  so  near  him  that  he  could  almost  reach  it  without  moving,  but 
it  might  as  well  have  been  a  hundred  miles  distant  for  all  the  good  it  could  do  him. 

His  revolver  was  in  his  hip  pocket,  and  as  he  lay  on  his  left  side,  the  weapon 
being  on  his  right,  he  hoped  that  he  could  draw  it  forth,  and,  carefully  aiming,  send 
a  bullet  through  the  upper  part  of  the  serpent's  body. 

As  slowly  as  the  minute  hand  glides  over  the  face  of  the  clock  the  lad  began 
reaching  for  the  pistol ;  but  at  the  very  first  essay  the  frightful  head  commenced 
swaying  from  side  to  side  in  such  a  threatening  manner  that  he  desisted. 

If  such  a  slight  movement  alarmed  the  reptile,  the  act  of  drawing  forth  the 
weapon  and  pulling  the  trigger  would  be  sure  to  excite  him  to  action.  No  j  that 
would  not  do. 

All  at  once  a  strange  idea  entered  Dick's  head.  He  had  seen  the  serpent- 
charmers  of  India,  and  had  witnessed  the  wonderful  manner  in  which  they  gov- 
erned the  serpents  by  their  monotonous  reed  music ;  could  he  not  do  something  in 
the  same  line  ? 

So  faintly  that  his  voice  scarcely  broke  the  oppressive  stillness,  he  began  a  low 
humming,  which,  at  first,  was  like  the  soft  music  of  the  wind-harp.  He  attempted 
no  tune,  but  merely  hummed,  his  voice  rising  and  sinking  no  more  than  a  note  or 
two  of  the  scale. 

The  first  result  was  not  calculated  to  soothe  the  nerves  of  the  youth.  The  head 
of  the  serpent  swayed  more  and  more,  from  side  to  side  and  back  and  forth,  as 
though  the  noise  irritated  him ;  but  the  youth  persevered,  imparting  a  certain 
swing  to  the  music,  if  it  may  be  termed  such,  and  slightly  increasing  its  volume. 

The  first  encouragement  was  when  he  perceived  that  the  cobra,  in  its  rude  way, 

342 


BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG! 


343 


was  oscillating  its  head  in  accord  with  the  swing  of  his  humming  sounds.     The 
music  was  producing  its  effect  and  he  was  "  keeping  time." 

Dick  sang  a  little  louder ;  the  hooded  head  rose  higher  and  the  serpent  moved 
from  the  blanket  out  upon  the  smooth  ground. 

A  cold  chill  ran  through  the  lad  at  the  fear  that  the  reptile  was  about  to  ap 
proach  his  head.  He  was  sure  he  could  not  stand  any  advance  of  that  nature. 

But,  fortunately,  instead  of  doing  so,  it  slowly  crept  away  from  him,  until  it  was 
in  plain  sight  in  the  moonlight  which  poured  through  the  door.  It  did  not  leave 
the  hut,  but  coiling  and  uncoiling,  raising  and  lowering  its  head,  it  showed  that  it 
was  pleased  by  the  low,  monotonous  music  which  came  from  between  the  lips  of  the 
boy  whose  eyes  were  fixed  upon  his  strange  visitor. 

Once  more  the  latter  began  moving  his  right  hand  toward  his  hip  pocket.  The 
snake  offered  no  objection,  seemingly  now  wholly  occupied  with  his  enjoyment  of 
the  strange  entertainment.  The  latter  continued  unchanged,  except  perhaps  there 


was  a  slight  addition 
of  vigor,  when  the 
lad's  hand  grasped  the 
butt  of  his  revolver 
and  he  began  slowly 
drawing  it  forth.  Still 
the  singing  went  on  as 
the  lad  brought  the 
weapon  to  a  level  and 
carefully  sighted  at 
the  reptile. 

"I    think    I    can 
pink  you,"  was  Dick's 


thought,  as  he  pointed 
with  an  arm  as  rigid 
as  iron  at  the  hooded 
head,  and  held  it  thus 
until  he  could  make 
his  aim  sure;  "at  any 
rate,  if  I  miss  the  first 
time,  I'll  give  you  the 
contents  of  all  the 
chambers,  and  you 
may  think,  if  hurt, 
that  it  is  a  part  of  the 


Music's  CHARMS. 

music."      The  humming  continued,  and  the  head  gently  undulated  in  time,  the 
snake  coiling  and  uncoiling  in  a  curious  fashion,  once  going  so  near  the  door  that  the 


344 


BANG)  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG! 


lad  was  sure  he  meant  to  leave,  possibly  because  he  could  not  stand  any  more  of  his 
music.  But,  no;  when  near  the  door,  he  moved  back  again,  until  he  reached  the  same 
spot  on  the  blanket  he  was  occupying  when  discovered,  where  he  paused  a  moment, 
rearing  his  head  higher  than  before. 

At  that  instant  —  Bang!  bang!  bang!  bang!  bang! 

Five  reports  rang  out  in  quick  succession,  and  the  mischief  was  to  pay. 

The  first  bullet  from  the  revolver  went  straight  through  the  neck  of  the  cobra, 
close  to  the  head,  and  two  of  the  remaining  ones  perforated  the  body  lower  down. 

There  was  fierce  threshing  of  the  ground,  the  snake  twisting  and  untwisting 
with  furious  quickness  during  the  few  seconds  that  his  death-struggles  lasted. 

Fortunately^  its  throes  carried  it  toward  the  opening  of  the  hut,  out  of  which  it 
went  as  if  kicked  by  an  indignant  foot,  and  came  to  rest  just  beyond  the  door,  as 
dead  as  Julius  Caesar. 

"  What  under  the  sun  is  up  ?  "  asked  Mr.  Godkin,  raising  his  head  from  his 
blanket  on  hearing  the  reports  and  peering  into  the  gloom,  with  a  feeling  that 
something  dreadful  must  have  caused  the  deafening  shots  of  the  revolver. 

"  I  found  that  big  cobra  in  the  room,"  replied  Dick,  springing  from  his  couch, 
"and  I  have  been  practicing  a  little  on  him  with  my  pistol." 

"  You're  mighty  lucky  if  he  didn't  practice  on  you,"  said  his  friend,  who  instantly 
saw  the  snake  and  was  only  a  second  in  rising  to  his  feet ;  "  didn't  he  bite  you  ?  " 

"Not  that  I  am  aware  of,"  replied  Dick, 
who  stepped  to  the  door  of  the  hut  and  looked  at 
the  limp,  rope-like  mass  ;  "  in  my  opinion,  that 
cobra  de  capello,  considered  strictly  as  a  cobra 
de  capello,  is  of  no  further  account."  And  then 
he  related  the  incident  which  I  have  told  you. 

"  You  were  fortunate  indeed,"  said  Mr. 
Godkin,  "  for  the  slightest  mo- 
tion on  your  part,  when  you 
awoke,  would  have  caused  him 
to  bury  his  fangs  in  you,  and 
then  that  would  have  been  the 
last  of  Master  Richard  Brow- 
nell,  from  America." 

The  nervous  shock  pro- 
duced by  the  visit  of  the 
serpent  drove  away  all  dis- 
position to  sleep  on  the  part 
of  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick. 

They  knew,  too,  that  if 
they  lay  down  again,  they 
were  liable  to  a  visit  from  the 
mate,  or  another  of  the  hideous 


"FIVE  REPORTS  RANG  OUT.' 


BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  345 

reptiles,  for  there  \vas  no  way  of  shutting  them  out.     So  the  man.  rilled  and  lit  his 
hookah,  and  sat  down  outside  the  hut,  Dick  joining  him  and  recharging  his  revolver. 

The  night  was  a  beautiful  one,  the  moon  having  reached  a  high  point  in  the 
heavens,  while  the  sky  was  without  a  single  cloud  to  interfere  with  its  light. 

Some  distance  off  a  dark  line  rose  against  the  clear  sky,  stretching  farther  to 
the  right  and  left  than  the  eye  could  follow.  It  marked  the  jungle,  those  enormous 
reaches  of  forest  in  India  which  abound  with  multifarious  forms  of  animal  life,  and 
which  are  so  choked  with  undergrowth,  vines  and  the  dense  vegetation  that  it  is 
impossible  to  force  one's  way  through  many  portions,  except  by  following  the 
paths  that  have  been  opened. 

"  There's  enough  game  in  there,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  knocking  the  ashes 
from  his  pipe,  "  to  keep  an  army  of  hunters  busy." 

"  Yes ;  and  I  would  be  glad  if  it  would  stay  there  and  wait  for  us  to  go  after  it." 

"What  do  you  mean?"  asked  his  friend,  turning  suddenly  toward  him  with  an 
expression  of  anxiety  ;  "  have  you  seen  anything  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  sure,  but  once  or  twice  I  fancied  there  was  something  moving  along 
in  front  of  the  jungle,  keeping  most  of  the  time  within  the  line  of  shadow." 

"  Since  I  fancied  the  same  thing  I  am  quite  sure  that  it  is  no  fancy  at  all.  Now 
that  the  moon  has  crept  much  higher  we  shall  be  likely  to  gain  a  better  view  of  the 
object." 

"  Have  you  a  suspicion,  Mr.  Godkin,  of  what  it  is  ?  " 

"  I  have,"  he  replied,  compressing  his  lips  and  nodding  his  head ;  "  but  I  hope 
I  am  mistaken." 

"  What  do  you  fear  ?  " 

"  One  of  the  most  fearful  animals  in  the  world.     You  know  what  that  is." 

"  A  royal  Bengal  tiger." 

"  That's  it.  This  little  bamboo  structure  would  be  no  more  protection  against 
a  tiger  of  the  kind  I  have  in  mind  than  so  much  tissue  paper,  not  even  if  we  had  a 
second  story  to  which  we  could  retreat." 

"  I  have  read  fearful  stories  about  the  tigers  of  this  country,  and  supposed"  some 
of  them  were  exaggerated." 

"  Probably  they  were,  but  the  truth  is  bad  enough.  The  only  way  to  hunt  the 
creature  is  with  a  large  party,  so  that  if  he  turns  they  can  give  him  a  volley.  Since 
it  is  out  of  our  power  to  do  that,  we  can  only  hope  that  we  may  not  be  troubled  by 
one  of  them  just  at  present." 

"But  if  there  should  be  a  tiger  prowling  along  the  edge  of  the  jungle  out  there, 
Mr.  Godkin,  we  ought  to  be  ready  for  him." 

"The  suggestion  is  a  good  one,"  remarked  his  friend,  rising  to  his  feet,  and  pass- 
ing within  the  hut.  Dick  did  the  same,  and  the  next  minute  the  two  emerged, 
each  bearing  his  loaded  rifle.  They  seated  themselves,  as  before,  on  the  ground, 
with  their  backs  against  the  bamboos. 

The  moon  being  so  near  overhead,  the  line  of  deep  shadow  along  the  jungle  was 
sc  thin  that  any  animal  venturing  out  was  quite  certain  to  be  detected. 


346 


TIGER. 


BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG! 


347 


"  There  he  is  !  "   whispered   Dick. 

"I  see  him!"  said  Mr.  Godkin;  "don't  stir!" 

The  eyes  of  both  were  fixed  on  the  long  stretch  of  jungle  when  they  observed  a 
beast  that  was  undoubtedly  a  tiger,  moving  in  a  direction  parallel  to  the  wood.  Hie 
walked  slowly,  and  stopped  after  going  about  a  dozen  yards. 

He  acted  as  if  he  was  not  quite  satisfied  with  the 
looks  of  things,  and  was  reconnoitering  the  bamboo 
hut  before  venturing  to  pay  it  closer  attention. 

"  I  think  we  had  better  go  inside,"  added 
Mr.  Godkin,  in  the  same  guarded  undertone. 

The  precaution  was  wise,  and  the  youth  made 
no  objection,  for  it  seemed  reasonable  to  believe 
that  their  presence  was  likely  to  tempt  the  beast 
to  attack  them. 

"  Now,"  added  the  man,  "  if  he  will  be  con- 
siderate enough  to  let  us  alone  we  will  recipro- 
cate." 

"  I  don't  understand  why  he  has  held  off  so 
long,"  replied  Dick,  who,  standing  back  out 
of  the  moonlight,  kept  his  eyes  on 
the  beast  in  such  plain  sight. 

"  They  are  very  cunning  at  times. 
He  is  suspicious,  too,  and,  I  suppose, 
he  doesn't  exactly  understand  how 
things  are  here." 

"  Good  gracious  !  " 

There  was  cause  for  the  latter 
exclamation,  for  the  tiger  acted  as 
though  all  misgiving  on  his  part  had 
vanished.  Having  stood  motionless 
for  two  or  three  minutes  he  began 
stealthily  approaching  the  hut,  as  if 
he  hesitated  no  longer  about  making  an  assault. 

" We  musn't  lie  idle  while  he  does  that"  said  Dick,  raising  his  gun. 

"  The  time  hasn't  come  to  fire." 

"  I  know  that,  but  it  is  time  to  be  ready." 

"  No  matter  what  happens,  don't  shoot  until  you  get  the  word  from  me ;  I'm  afraid 
you  will  be  too  rash.  Now  is  the  time,  my  boy,  for  coolness  and  presence  of  mind." 

"  Absence  of  body  would  be  much  better,"  thought  Dick,  though  he  said  nothing. 

It  was  an  impressive  sight  when  the  royal  Bengal  tiger  advanced  directly  toward 
the  hut,  his  terrible  head  aloft,  and  his  tail  vibrating  gently  from  side  to  side.  He 
emitted  no  growl,  and,  since  the  two  in  the  hut  were  silent,  the  stillness  was  oppres- 
sive to  a  degree. 


A  SERPENT  CHARMER. 


348  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG!  BANG! 

"  He  will  stop  before  he  reaches  us,"  whispered  Mr.  Godkin,  who  had  also  raise j 
the  hammer  of  his  heavy  rifle. 

This  surmise  was  correct,  for  the  words  were  yet  in  his  mouth  when  the  brute 
paused.  He  was  too  cunning  to  venture  into  what  might  prove  an  ingeniously  laid 
trap. 

At  this  moment  he  was  standing  about  fifty  feet  from  the  door  of  the  hut,  and 
formed  a  striking  picture  indeed,  the  very  embodiment  as  he  was  of  prodigious 
strength,  cat-like  activity  and  irrestrainable  ferocity. 

No  better  target  could  have  been  desired  could  the  hunters  have  been  in  a  secure 
spot.  As  it  was,  Mr.  Godkin  was  more  tempted  than  he  would  have  admitted  at 
the  time,  to  send  a  bullet  into  the  neck,  just  below  the  head,  where,  if  rightly  aimed, 
the  messenger  would  bore  its  way  through  the  seat  of  life. 

But  the  critical  moment  had  not  yet  come.  The  tiger  might  change  his  mind 
and  go  away.  If  he  did,  so  much  the  better. 

If  he  decided  to  attack  he  must  approach  still  nearer,  and  there  was  a  better 
chance  of  making  the  aim  fatal,  though  it  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  he  would 
halt  again  in  such  a  favorable  position. 

So  plainly  was  the  beast  seen  that  a  slight  turning  of  his  head  —  no  more  than 
an  inch  or  two  each  way  —  was  observed.  His  own  posture  threw  the  moon  slightly 
behind  him,  so  that  his  front  was  partly  in  shadow,  which  fact  added  ten-fold  to  his 
terrible  appearance. 

Dick  had  read  of  "  blazing  eye-balls,"  "  flaming  orbs,"  and  that  sort  of  thing,  but 
never  saw  anything  of  the  kind  until  the  Bengal  tiger  struck  an  attitude  before  him. 

You  know  that  the  eyes  of  the  cat  species  have  a  peculiar  greenish,  phospho- 
rescent glow,  and  there  was  a  glitter  about  those  of  the  tiger  which  justified  the 
seemingly  extravagant  expressions  that  are  so  often  used  in  describing  them. 

If  the  beast  withdrew,  well :  if  he  advanced,  to  say  the  least,  it  would  not  be 
well. 

But  the  animal  had  no  intention  of  holding  the  attitude  he  had  taken,  and  again 
he  moved. 

Dick  Brownell's  heart  almost  stopped  beating  when  he  observed  that,  instead 
of  retreating  or  turning  to  one  side,  the  creature  was  once  more  walking  with  his 
stealthy  tread  directly  toward  the  door  of  the  hut. 

"  He  is  coming  for  us  this  time  sure,"  whispered  the  lad. 

"It  looks  so,  but  hold  on ;  the  time  has  not  yet  come  to  shoot." 

"It  is  very  near  though." 

But  at  the  very  moment  the  lad  had  decWed  to  bring  his  gun  to  his  shoulder, 
and  not  to  await  the  command  of  his  unduly  cautious  friend,  the  tiger  once  more 
hesitated. 

He  was  so  close  now,  however,  that  it  looked  as  if  he  was  about  to  gather  him- 
self for  a  terrific  leap  upon  the  hut  and  its  inmates. 


CHAPTER  LXIII. 

BUILDING  BETTER  THAN  HE  KNEW. 

THE  crisis  seemed  to 
be  at  hand.  Both  Mr. 
Godkin  and  Dick  raised 
their  rifles  and  leveled 
them  at  the  terrible  tiger, 
which  stood  only  a  few 
paces  off,  apparently  on 
the  point  of  making  a 
bound  directly  at  the 
little  bamboo  structure, 
which,  as  the  man  had 
asserted,  could  have  of- 
fered no  more  resistance 
WHITE-HEADED  ICHEUMON.  t<)  hig  fury  than  SQ  much 

card-board.  Before  leaping,  the  beast,  like  all  of  his  kind,  would  squat  on  his 
legs,  so  as  to  gather  his  muscles  for  the  terrific  effort  that  would  bring  him  upon 
the  defenders. 

This  premonitory  movement  was  all  they  were  waiting  for.  The  instant  the 
long,  graceful  body  should  sink  toward  the  ground,  the  two  would  fire,  trusting  that 
Heaven  would  direct  one  of  the  bullets,  at  least,  through  the  center  of  life  and  stay 
the  beast,  on  the  threshold,  as  may  be  said,  of  his  assault. 

But  the  tiger  did  not  lower  his  body.  Like  many  a  great  enterprise,  this  one 
was  checked  by  an  insignificant  cause.  His  sharp  eyes  caught  sight  of  the  mangled 
cobra  doubled  up  on  the  ground  in  front  of  him.  He  knew  its  nature,  but  did  not 
know  it  was  dead.  That  strange  intuition  which  we  call  instinct  warned  him  of 
the  fatal  result  of  a  darting  blow  from  that  fearful  reptile,  and  he  drew  back  with  a 
suddenness  which,  under  other  circumstances,  would  have  been  ludicrous.  Not 
only  that,  but  he  turned  directly  about  and  trotted  back  to  the  jungle,  where  he 
disappeared. 

"Well,  if  that  doesn't  beat  anything  I  ever  saw  !  "  exclaimed  Dick. 

"  You  know  what  frightened  him  off  ?  " 

"  A  dead  snake." 

"  Yes ;  when  you  shot  the  reptile,  you  builded  better  than  you  knew." 

"  I  builded  well  enough  to  save  my  life." 

"  Truly ;  not  once,  but  twice  ;  but  for  it,  the  tiger  assuredly  would  have  at- 
tacked us,  and  I  need  not  tell  you  how  slight  our  chance  of  escape  would  have 


IN  A  TIGHT    PLACE 


351 


BUILDING    BETTER    THAN    HE    KNEW. 

been ;  but,  since  the  royal  Bengal  has  taken  a  little  shy  at  us,  we  will  give  him  a 
tussle  to-morrow." 

"Do  you  really  mean  that?"  asked  Dick,  with  sparkling  eyes,  for  one  of  the 
most  coveted  treats  he  counted  upon  enjoying  in  India  was  a  tiger  hunt.  He  was 
aware  of  the  peril  attending  such  a  venture,  but  you  can  understand  how  it  was 
that  the  very  danger  was  its  chief  attraction. 

"Yes ;  we  will  arrange  a  party  to  hunt  him  to-morrow  in  true  style.  We  can 
get  a  couple  of  well-trained  elephants  at  the  village,  and  we  will  take  along  Jim, 
and  Jack,  and  Jo." 

India  is  the  home  of  the  tiger  (fells  tigris}.  In  some  respects  he  is  the  most 
dangerous  wild  animal  that  lives.  Scientific  investigation  has  proven  him  to  be 
one-fifth  stronger  than  the  lion,  while  in  courage,  activity  and  ferocity  he  is  far  his 
superior. 

The  range  of  the  tiger  is  much  less  than  that  of  the  lion,  being  unknown  in 
every  country  except  Asia,  and  flourishing  only  in  the  southern  and  eastern  portions 
of  that  continent.  Certain  sections  of  India  are  overrun  with  this  dreaded  beast. 

While  the  ship  which  bore  Dick  Brownell  and  Mr.  Godkin  from  Port  Natal,  lay 
anchored  inside  the  Hooghly  River,  one  of  the  many  estuaries  of  the  Ganges,  the 
gentleman  made  known  two  interesting  facts.  A  few  miles  up  that  broad  stream  is 
ft  beach,  outwardly  calm,  but  whose  bottom  is  a  shifting  quicksand  which  is  almost 
certain  destruction  to  any  steamer  that  touches  it.  The  sands  suck  in  ships  as 
leeches  suck  in  blood,  and  always  are  hungry  for  more.  Skillful  pilotage  and  day- 
light are  necessary  to  escape  the  treacherous  peril. 

On  a  low  island  to  the  eastward  the  tigers  are  more  numerous  than  in  any  other 
part  of  the  globe.  The  keepers  of  the  signal  station  live  within  high  brick  walls 
and  dare  not  venture  a  hundred  yards  beyond  them.  Refuge  houses  are  built  along 
the  coast  on  high  piles,  close  to  the  water.  Canned  food,  four  hundred  gallons  of 
water,  a  chart  with  full  directions  how  to  find  a  port  and  a  boat  are  at  each.  Large 
placards  are  hung  up,  warning  the  shipwrecked  man  to  beware  of  the  tigers,  and 
not  to  attempt  to  get  off* except  by  day,  and  at  no  time  to  venture  into  the  jungle. 
The  islands  a;  \  surrounding  mainland  are  swampy,  and  swarm  with  tigers  and 
crocodiles. 

"I  think  it  is  the  most  fearful  place  in  the  world,"  said  Mr.  Godkin.  "When 
I  first  came  tc  India,  I  was  foolish  enough  to  venture  into  that  section  on  a  wager 
made  by  a  party  of  English  sportsmen." 

"I  suppose  you  looked  upon  some  strange  sights,"  suggested  Dick. 

"More  than  I  ever  want  to  see  again,"  he  replied  with  a  shudder  ;  "how  I  got 
back  alive  is  more  than  I  can  understand.  I  was  there  but  a  short  time,  during 
which  I  saw  a  tiger  fighting  with  a  crocodile,  while  its  mate  stood  in  the  grass 
alongshore,  calmly  watching  the  combat,  as  if  she  had  no  misgivings  about  the  suc- 
cess of  her  lord.  He  seemed  to  me,  however,  to  be  in  a  tight  place,  since  his  head 
was  between  the  jaws  of  the  crocodile,  and  the  powerful  paw  didn't  appear  to  do  much 
execution  on  the  iron  front  of  the  reptile.  1  didn't  stay  to  see  the  result  of  the  fight. 


BUILDING    BETTER   THAN    HE    KNEW-  353 

While  stealing  out  of  the  jungle,  I  caught  a  glimpse  of  two  other  tigers  that  were 
peering  out  from  their  lair  at  a  group  of  deer  just  beyond,  and  evidently  consider- 
ing whether  they  should  kill  every  one,  or  spare  a  few  for  their  neighbors. 

"  I  made  a  circuit  that  took  me  around  that  dangerous  section,  but  before  I 
could  get  out  of  the  place,  I  narrowly  missed  running  upon  two  others.  I  paused 
long  enough  to  notice  that  one  was  licking  his  paw,  while  the  other  was  raising  a 
howl,  as  if  impatient  that  I  was  so  long  in  delaying  their  supper. 

"  Even  when  I  thought  I  was  fairly  clear  of  the  appalling  section,  I  saw  a  tiger 
that  had  leaped  on  the  neck  of  a  buffalo  as  he  was  drinking  from  the  water,  and 
was  tearing  the  poor  fellow  to  pieces. 

"  How  I  got  out  with  my  life,  as  I  said,  is  a  mystery,  but  I  wouldn't  repeat  the 
attempt  for  the  Kohinoor  itself." 

The  three  individuals  who,  Mr.  Godkin  said,  would  accompany  them  on  the 
tiger  hunt,  were  the  natives  whom  he  had  hired  to  go  with  them  on  the  expedition. 

They  were  all  Hindoos,  and  their  right  names  were  Buktar  Sing,  Budao,  and 
Kassi  Roy.  You  see  how  awkward  they  sound  on  the  lips  of  an  American,  and  so, 
merely  for  convenience,  our  friends  gave  them  the  handy  appellations  named. 

I  have  already  said  that  they  were  experienced  hunters,  who  received  such 
liberal  pay  from  Mr.  Godkin  that  they  were  anxious  to  serve  him  in  every  way 
possible. 

The  friend  with  whom  they  were  spending  the  night  lived  on  the  borders  of  the 
village,  less  than  a  mile  distant ;  and,  since  elephants  are  so  common  in  India,  my 
agent  knew  he  would  have  no  trouble  in  securing  any  number  of  them  whenever 
he  desired. 

The  events  of  the  night,  as  you  will  admit,  were  enough  to  shake  the  nerves  of 
the  strongest  man,  and  neither  Mr.  Godkin  nor  Dick  Brownell  felt  the  least  dispo- 
sition to  lie  down  for  more  sleep.  Convinced  that  the  tiger  had  taken  his  departure 
for  good,  they  once  more  came  outdoors.  Each  held  his  loaded  gun  in  hand,  for  in 
such  a  country  as  India  it  is  wise  to  be  prepared  at  all  times  for  a  hostile  visit. 

The  couple  had  been  seated  but  a  few  minutes  in  conversation,  when  Mr. 
Godkin  directed  his  companion's  attention  to  the  growing  light  in  the  East. 

"  Daylight  is  at  hand,"  he  added,  "  and  you  are  as  glad  as  I." 

"  Indeed  I  am ;  it  is  one  of  the  longest  nights  I  ever  spent.  I  looked  at  my 
watch  a  few  minutes  ago,  and  saw  that  the  sun  would  soon  rise." 

They  stayed  where  they  were  a  short  time  longer,  and  then,  rising  to  their  feet, 
flung  their  blankets  over  their  arms  and  set  out  in  the  direction  of  the  village 
where  they  had  left  their  horses  in  charge  of  Jim,  Jack  and  Jo. 

Before  our  friends  had  gone  half  way  to  the  village,  day  dawned,  and  all  the 
signs  indicated  another  trying  spell  of  heat. 

Turning  a  bend  in  the  highway,  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  found  themselves  within 
a  short  distance  of  the  village.  The  instant  they  were  seen,  a  crowd  of  men, 
women  and  children  came  running  toward  them,  uttering  the  most  dismal  wailing 
and  cries. 


354  BUILDING    BETTER   THAN    HE    KNEW. 

"What  does  this  mean?"  asked  the  wondering  Dick. 

"Some  calamity  has  befallen  them  during  the  night;  there  is  Jo  —  he  will 
inform  us." 

Jo,. who  was  the  leading  servant,  spoke  English  almost  as  well  as  a  European. 
Seeing  his  masters,  he  ran  forward  to  meet  them. 

"Oh,  sahib  !"  said  he,  making  an  elaborate  salaam;  "great  sorrow  has  come 
upon  the  village." 

«  What  is  the  trouble  ?  " 

"  The  tiger,  the  tiger !  He  entered  the  village  last  night,  sahib,  and  seized  a 
child  right  before  its  father  and  mother.  We  ran  after  the  beast,  shouting  and 
throwing  torches  at  him,  but  he  heeded  us  not;  he  is  gone  with  the  child,  and  great 
is  the  grief  of  our  friends  over  their  loss,  sahib." 

Mr.  Godkin  turned  to  Dick. 

"  You  may  depend  upon  it  that  was  the  animal  that  paid  us  a  visit  last  night." 

"  It  must  have  been  after  he  carried  off  the  child." 

"  Likely  it  was  the  same  beast." 

"And,  sahib,"  continued  Jo,  "a  snake  bit  one  of  the  villagers,  and  he  died." 

"  That  wasn't  the  same  serpent  that  visited  us  last  night,"  remarked  Dick. 

"  But  it  was  the  same  species.  I  don't  know  that  we  would  have  been  any  safer 
in  the  village  than  in  the  bamboo  hut." 

"  Where  are  the  ichneumons  that  are  sure  death  to  all  cobras  ? "  asked  the 
youth. 

"  It  would  seem  that  these  people  ought  to  be  supplied  with  those  valuable 
creatures,  which  have  saved  many  a  life  from  serpents." 

The  villagers  continued  their  lamentations,  and  besought  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick 
who  they  saw  were  fully  armed,  to  slay  the  dreaded  tiger,  which  would  give  them 
no  peace  now  that  he  had  had  a  taste  of  one  of  their  number. 

By  this  time  Jim  and  Jack  came  up,  and  they  added  their  lamentations  to  those 
of  their  friends.  With  some  trouble,  my  agent  secured  an  account  of  what  had 
taken  place  during  the  night. 

The  native  who  had  died  of  the  cobra's  bite  had  been  stricken  early  in  the 
evening,  but  the  appearance  of  the  tiger  had  been  so  recent  that  Dick  saw  he  was 
mistaken  in  believing  that  it  was  before  he  visited  them.  He  must  have  come 
directly  from  the  hut  and  seized  his  victim. 

There  could  be  no  doubt  that  it  was  the  same  beast,  for  two  of  them  rarely  work 
so  near  each  other  in  the  manner  named. 

"  Be  calm,"  called  Mr.  Godkin,  forgetting  that  only  three  or  four  of  those  who 
heard  him  could  understand  his  words;  "  we  shall  rid  this  district  of  the  man-eater; 
we  have  come  to  slay  him." 


CHAPTER  LXIV. 

THE   TIGER-HUNTERS. 

tHE  announcement  that  the  two  hunters  had  determined  to  kill  the  dreaded 
tiger  caused  such  joy  among  the  hearers  —  who  quickly  gathered  the  meaning 
from  those  who  understood  the  words  —  that  they  seemed  to  forget  the  recent 
visit  of  the  man-eater. 

Even  the  father  and  mother  of  the  captured  child  flung  their  hands  aloft  and 
expressed  their  pleasure  at  learning  that  the  neighborhood  was  to  be  rid  of  the 
scourge. 

This  course  being  settled  upon,  Mr.  Godkin  went  about  the  task  with  the  prompt 
thoroughness  which  marked  everything  he  did. 

The  first  step  was  for  him  and  Dick  to  secure  their  morning  meal,  a  very  easy 
task  as  they  were  situated. 

Little  meat  is  eaten  during  the  hot  season  in  India,  because  of  its  heating  nature, 
though  at  other  times  enormous  quantities  of  beef,  mutton  and  game  are  con- 
sumed. 

In  one  of  the  natives'  huts  the  expenditure  of  live  annas  —  about  fifteen  cents  — 
procured  all  the  goat's  milk  and  fruit  they  needed. 

The  villager  was  so  delighted  over  the  presence  of  two  %uch  mighty  hunters 
that  had  come  to  slay  the  fearful  pest  that  he  was  unwilling  to  take  payment,  and 
would  have  been  only  too  glad  to  provide  his  friends  with  all  they  wanted  for  noth- 
ing; but  Mr.  Godkin  had  made  the  wise  rule  of  never  accepting  favors  of  that  kind. 

By  the  time  our  friends  had  finished  their  morning  meal  ( the  custom  in  most 
tropical  countries,  as  you  know,  is  to  eat  but  two  meals  a  day,  the  second  being  late 
in  the  afternoon),  the  servants  had  brought  the  two  elephants  in  front  of  the  hut, 
where  they  awaited  their  riders. 

Both  the  animals  were  small,  that  of  Dick  being  a  female,  and  not  much  larger 
than  a  good-sized  ox.  Mr.  Godkin's  was  somewhat  taller,  but  both  were  so  low 
that  each  person,  with  a  little  help,  was  able  to  climb  upon  the  neck  and  enter  the 
howdah,  or  box-like  saddle,  which  is  used  in  riding  the  beasts. 

The  arrangement  was  that  Jo  should  accompany  Dick,  while  Jim  was  to  ride 
with  Mr.  Godkin.  Jack  had  already  mounted  the  pony  of  the  gentleman,  and, 
placing  himself  at  the  head,  seemed  disposed  to  assume  the  part  of  leader  of  the 
expedition.  Each  assistant  carried  a  spear,  though  it  would  seem  fire-arms  would 
have  been  more  appropriate. 

A  half  dozen  natives  begged  the  privilege  of  accompanying  the  party  on  foot, 
though  they  were  likely  to  prove  more  of  an  impediment  than  a  help  in  the  perilous 
business. 


THE    TIGER-HUNTERS.  357 

Such  was  the  company  that  set  out  to  hunt  down  the  man-eater  which  had 
thrown  the  whole  village  into  a  state  of  consternation  which  nothing  but  the  death 
of  the  animal  could  remove. 

Leaving  the  little  town,  they  headed  to  the  westward,  which  was  toward  that 
part  of  the  jungle  where  the  beast  had  been  seen  the  evening  before.  Fully  two 
score  men,  women  and  children  accompanied  the  party  some  distance  out  on  the 
road,  but  they  turned  back  before  coming  in  sight  of  the  bamboo  hut,  and  the  com- 
pany was  left  with  the  members  already  mentioned. 

"  If  the  tiger  is  gone  very  far  into  the  jungle,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  whose  elephant 
was  walking  so  close  to  Dick's  that  they  could  readily  converse,  "  I  doubt  whether 
we  shall  be  able  to  force  our  animals  after  him." 

«  What  then  shall  be  done  ?  " 

"  We  must  get  the  people  to  drive  him  out,  or,  if  they  refuse,  we  shall  have  to 
dismount  and  do  it  ourselves." 

"  I  don't  fancy  that  part  of  the  sport." 

"  More  than  likely  we  shall  find  him  along  the  edge  of  the  jungle,  in  the  tall 
grass  which  skirts  it,  though  he  may  take  a  notion  to  dart  in  among  the  trees." 

"  How  about  the  beasts  we  are  riding  ?  " 

*'  They  have  been  in  the  business  before,  and  behaved  themselves  admirably, 
though  an  elephant  will  sometimes  turn  tail  to  a  tiger  and  give  him  a  wide  berth." 

"  I  wouldn't  be  surprised  if  mine  did  that,  for  she  isn't  much  bigger  than  a  tigei 
herself,  and  can't  be  any  kind  of  a  match  for  the  one  we  are  hunting." 

"  You  see  how  thoroughly  Jo  understands  her.    She  is  a  very  intelligent  creature." 

"And  there  is  the  trouble  —  her  intelligence  may  tell  her  that  the  wisest  thing 
she  can  do  is  to  locate  herself  beyond  reach  of  the  game." 

"  It  is  not  impossible,  but  I  am  hopeful  that  both  will  acquit  themselves  credit- 
ably. The  conduct  of  an  elephant,  however,  does  not  depend  on  his  size,  and  one 
three  times  as  large  as  mine  is  as  likely  to  run  as  a  smaller  one." 

During  the  brief  ride  along  the  highway  on  the  back  of  the  little  elephant,  Dick 
formed  quite  a  fondness  for  her.  She  showed  a  frolicsome  disposition  that  would 
have  made  her  a  pet  with  children  at  once. 

She  would  trot  a  few  paces  in  a  way  that  shook  the  howdah  dreadfully.  She 
knew  it,  and  that  was  the  reason  she  did  it. 

Jo  affected  great  indignation,  and  would  whack  the  brute  over  the  head,  or  prick 
her  ears  with  the  point  of  his  spear.  Then  she  became  as  meek  as  a  child,  and 
stopped  so  suddenly  that  the  lad  received  several  vigorous  bumps  against  the  front 
of  the  howdah  before  he  could  prepare  himself  for  the  shock. 

A  favorite  trick  of  hers  was  to  reach  as  far  around  and  over  her  back  as  she 
could  with  her  trunk,  as  if  she  wished  to  fondle  her  riders.  But  Jo  met  all  such 
demonstrations  with  a  blow  from  his  spear,  which  caused  the  pendulous  snout  to 
seek  its  proper  place. 

The  female  gave  one  exhibition  of  playfulness  which  was  relished  by  all  save 
the  victim. 


358  THE    TIGER-HUNTERS. 

One  of  the  natives  was  trotting  by  the  roadside,  looking  attentively  ahead,  for 
they  were  nearing  the  spot  where  it  was  wise  to  increase  their  vigilance,  when  the 
beast  moved  up  behind  and  seized  him  around  the  waist. 

The  terrified  fellow  began  yelling  and  kicking  with  might  and  main,  while  Jo 
banged  his  spear  on  the  head  of  the  creature  and  ordered  her  to  release  the  man  at 
once ;  but  the  blows  did  not  amount  to  anything,  and  the  elephant  was  bound  to 
have  her  fun. 

She  raised  the  native  as  high  in  the  air  as  she  could,  his  head  pointing  toward 
the  ground  and  his  feet  toward  the  sky.  No  wonder  he  was  frightened,  and  his 
legs  beat  the  air  like  a  couple  of  drumsticks,  while  he  swung  his  arms  and  called 
out  to  Jo  to  save  him  from  death. 

Holding  her  victim  thus  for  a  few  seconds,  the  female  lowered  him  as  gently  as 
a  feather,  and  deposited  him  on  his  feet  again,  without  a  hair  of  his  head  being 
harmed.  Then  she  resumed  her  advance  as  seriously  as  though  she  had  never 
thought  of  molesting  any  one  in  the  world. 

Both  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  laughed,  for  the  incident  was  most  amusing. 

"  I  wonder  whether  she  will  handle  the  tiger  in  that  style  if  she  gets  the  chance  ?  " 
said  the  lad. 

"  No  fear  of  that,  for  the  tiger  will  not  permit  it ;  but  she  is  in  capital  spirits 
this  morning,  and  is  bound  to  have  her  fun  in  spite  of  Jo  and  his  spear-thrusts. 
However,  there  is  the  hut  on  one  side  and  the  jungle  on  the  other,  and  the  time  for 
serious  business  has  arrived." 


CHAPTER  LXV. 

THE    TIGER. 

'HE  party  now  halted  within  a  few  rods  of  the  bamboo  hut  that  had  been  the 
scene  of  the  adventures  already  described.  By  this  time  the  courage  of  several 
of  the  natives  had  oozed  away  and  they  quietly  slunk  off,  so  that  when  our 
friends  looked  around  they  found  there  was  but  a  single  one  left  beside  the  three 
servants,  two  of  whom  were  mounted  on  the  elephants,  while  the  third  was  riding 
the  pony  of  Mr.  Godkin. 

The  anxious  glances  which  all  cast  around  failed  to  reveal  anything  of  the  tiger 
for  which  they  were  hunting;  but,  nevertheless,  the  belief  was  general  that  he  war 
not  far  off. 

"  Nothing  can  be  done,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "  by  sitting  idle.  Jo,  Jim,  Jack  and 
the  other  fellow  there  will  enter  the  jungle  with  a  view  of  driving  out  the  game  into 
the  open  plain  where  we  can  get  a  shot  at  him." 

"  But  he  may  be  hiding  in  the  grass  beyond,"  suggested  Dick. 

As  the  boy  spoke  he  pointed  to  some  grass  that  extended  out,  perhaps,  a  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  front  of  the  jungle,  and  ran  parallel  with  it  for  five  or  six  times 
that  distance.  It  did  not  begin  opposite  the  bamboo  structure,  but  farther  to  the 
west  —  that  is,  in  the  direction  leading  away  from  the  village. 

This  grass  was  several  feet  high,  quite  dense,  and  parched  by  the  sun  to  a  red- 
dish-brown. It  would  hardly  be  supposed  that  a  wild  beast  would  ensconce  himself 
among  this,  unless  he  wished  to  lie  in  wait  for  his  prey  passing  along  the  highway. 
The  audacity  of  the  tiger  gave  probability  to  the  theory  that  he  was  really  waiting 
there,  even  though  he  had  indulged  in  such  a  frightful  feast  but  a  short  time  before. 

"  We'll  examine  the  grass,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  after  surveying  it  from  the  back 
of  the  elephant.  The  elevation,  however,  was  so  slight  that  it  gave  little  facility  in 
the  way  of  observation. 

After  a  brief  consultation  it  was  agreed  that  Jack,  who  was  mounted  on  my 
agent's  horse,  should  enter  the  grass  at  a  point  nearest  to  them,  and,  keeping  close 
to  the  jungle,  advance  with  extreme  caution. 

This  was  deemed  prudent,  for  if  it  should  prove  that  the  beast  was  there,  it  was 
believed  he  would  be  seen  soon  enough  for  the  pony  to  carry  himself  and  rider  out 
of  danger.  He  was  a  well-trained  animal,  very  agile,  and  had  been  in  several 
scrimmages  with  tigers,  so  that  considerable  reliance  was  placed  on  his  intelligence. 

If  one  of  the  natives  should  go  forward  on  foot  he  could  not  escape  a  direct 
attack  from  the  tiger,  even  though  the  others  hurried  to  his  assistance.  Two  or 
three  prodigious  leaps  of  the  animal  would  be  sufficient  to  overtake  the  fleetest  of 
men. 

359 


360 


THE    TIGER. 


You  can  imagine  the  intense  interest  with  which  the  others  watched  the  move- 
ments of  Jack. 

The  native  who  was  on  foot  climbed  upon  the  back  of  Mr.  Godkin's  elephant, 
so  that  none  was  unmounted. 

Jack  had  not  ridden  twenty  paces  into  the  tall  grass  when  all  were  startled  by 
seeing  him  rein  up  his  horse  with  a  suddenness  which  proved  that  he  had  made  an 
important  discovery. 

"  It  can't  be  the  tiger,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  without  removing  his  gaze  from 
the  man. 

"  No,  there's  something  on  the  ground  close  to  his  pony's  head,"  replied  Dick. 

Jack  spent  but  a  minute  or  two  in  scrutiny,  when,  without  dismounting,  he  gal- 
loped back  to  his  friends. 

He  explained  his  ghastly  discovery. 

Observing  that  the  grass  appeared  to  have  been  trampled  near  where  he  halted, 
he  examined  it  closely,  and  saw  several  bones  lying  on  the  ground,  their  appearance 
showing  that  the  flesh  had  been  gnawed  from  them  very  recently. 

A  brief  scrutiny  left  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  the  native  that  they  were  a  part  01 
the  remains  of  the  poor  girl  who  had  been  carried  off  by  the  tiger  only  a  few  hours 
before. 

"  Depend  upon  it,  he  isn't  far  away,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  when  the  dreadful  inci- 
dent was  told. 

"  Do  you  think  he  is  in  the  grass  ?  " 

"  Very  likely." 

Jack  once  more  turned  the  pony  about  and  entered  the  parched  tract,  while  the 
others  edged  their  beasts  a  little  closer  behind  him  :  the  fellow  was  braver  than 
most  of  his  race,  or  he  would  not  have  done  this.  Dick  saw  no  signs  of  trepidation 
on  his  part,  but  there  could  be  no  doubt  that  he  appreciated  the  peril  into  which  he 
was  entering. 

This  time  he  rode  a  couple  of  rods  in  advance  of  where  he  had  halted  on  his  first 
entry.  His  pony  stepped  very  deliberately,  with  his  head  high  in  air,  and  his  ears 
thrown  forward,  as  if  he  fully  understood  his  danger. 

All  at  once  he  stopped  again,  and  then  it  was  that  Dick  Brownell  and  Carl  God- 
kin  witnessed  one  of  the  most  striking  tableaux  on  which  they  had  ever  gazed. 

From  a  point  only  a  few  yards  in  advance  of  the  horseman  a  gigantic  tiger  rose 
from  the  grass,  so  that  his  whole  body  was  in  plain  sight,  and,  facing  the  native, 
looked  straight  at  him. 

He  did  not  growl  nor  sway  his  tail,  but  stood  in  the  attitude  of  curiosity  or 
inquiry,  as  if  seeking  to  learn  the  meaning  of  the  disturbance.  The  pony  held 
precisely  the  same  attitude.  Instead  of  whirling  about  and  dashing  off,  as  would 
have  been  natural,  he  braced  himself  as  rigidly  as  a  bronze  statue,  with  his  front 
hoofs  planted  close  together,  his  head  aloft,  and  his  eyes  staring  at  the  terror  in 
front  of  him. 

Whether  or  not  the  rider  was  transfixed  by  fear  cannot  be  said,  but  he  also 


THE    TIGER. 


played  the  part  of  a  motionless  spectator  —  the  tableau  being  the  most  impressive 
that  can  be  imagined. 

For  a  few  moments  the  hunters  were  equally 
stationary,  and  then  the  first  evidence  of  fright 
came  from  the  quarter  where  it  was  least  ex- 
pected. 

Among  the  quadrupeds,  there  was  one 
which,  realizing  the  delicate  situ- 
ation, made  up  his  mind 
that  the  time  had  come 
for  disappearing :    that 
was   the    elephant   on 


which  Mr.  Godkin  and 


two  of    the 
perched. 

Throwing  aloft  his  trunk, 
he  trumpeted  loudly,  and  then 
deliberately  swung  his  heavy 
body  around  and  started  off. 

In  vain  the  natives  bela- 
bored him  with  spears.  Jim 
jabbed  him  sharply,  calling 
him  the  worst  names  he  could 
summon,  while  Mr.  Godkin 
was  angry  enough  to  shoot 
the  poltroon.  It  was  the  more  provoking  because  in  the  previous  tiger  hunts  in 
which  he  had  been  engaged  he  had  never  been  known  to  misbehave  himself. 

But  all  in  vain.    You  have  seen  a  yoke  of  oxen  make  a  break  for  water,  and  have 


A  STRIKING  TABLEAU. 


362  THE    TIGER. 

noticed  that  no  driver  could  check  or  turn  them  aside.  So  it  was  with  the  elephant 
Pointing  his  nose  toward  the  village,  he  swung  into  his  ungainly  trot,  and  not  all 
the  efforts  of  his  three  riders  could  restrain  him,  though  they  exerted  themselves  to 
the  point  of  desperation. 

Dick  Brownell  laughed  over  the  discomfiture  of  his  friend,  especially  as  it  had 
been  believed  that,  if  either  of  the  elephants  showed  any  panic,  it  would  be  the 
female  ridden  by  him  ;  but  there  was  too  serious  business  before  the  party  for  the 
youth  to  spend  any  time  in  looking  at  the  group  that  were  making  such  good  time 
toward  the  village. 

The  break  of  the  cowardly  brute  seemed  to  be  the  signal  for  the  drama  to  open. 

The  tiger  could  not  have  failed  to  see  that  the  whole  party  were  intruders,  and 
that  a  good  chance  was  presented  for  teaching  them  a  needed  lesson,  as  well  as  for 
procuring  a  grander  feast  than  he  had  ever  yet  enjoyed. 

Holding  himself  erect,  he  now  began  walking  straight  toward  the  horseman 
with  that  soft,  cat-like  tread  that  adds  to  the  terror  inspired  by  his  presence.  The 
distance  was  too  great  for  him  to  leap,  and  he  was  merely  seeking  to  shorten  the 
space  enough  to  make  it  an  easy  task. 

You  may  be  sure  that  the  pony  finished  his  attitudinizing  about  that  time.  He 
spun  around  like  a  top,  and  dashed  off  at  the  height  of  his  speed,  which  was  much 
greater  than  that  of  the  tiger. 

The  latter  broke  into  a  gallop,  keeping  in  a  direct  line  with  the  horse,  which 
shot  by  the  elephant  at  a  distance  of  no  more  than  a  dozen  feet.  Thus  the  pursuer 
was  brought  near  the  animal  on  which  Dick  was  perched  and  who  bravely  held  her 
ground. 

Seeing  that  it  was  useless  to  follow  the  horseman,  and  finding  himself  close  to 
the  two  hunters,  the  tiger  seemed  to  conclude: 

"You'll  do  just  as  well." 

At  any  rate,  without  the  least  hesitation,  he  veered  in  his  course  and  made 
straight  for  Dick  and  Jim  1 


CHAPTER  LXVI. 

A     FORTUNATE     SHOT. 

|T  is  a  brave  hunter  who  keeps  his  head  in  such  a  crisis  as  now  came  upon  Dick, 
and  it  is  no  discredit  to  him  to  say  that  he  was  flustered  for  a  brief  while. 
He  held  his  rifle  ready,  knowing  that  he  would  fire  the  next  moment ;  but  when 
the  native,  Jo,  saw  the  tiger  following  the  skurrying  horseman  at  a  gallop,  and  knew 
that  he  would  pass  quite  close  to  him,  it  proved  too  much  for  his  nerves. 

He  was  not  sitting  in  the  howdah,  but  had  perched  himself  astride  the  elephant's 
neck,  the  better  to  control  her. 

With  a  whoop  of  terror  he  described  a  back  somersault,  landing  on  his  feet,  and 
dashed  after  the  fleeing  pony  at  a  gait  that  almost  equaled  his. 

At  the  same  moment,  the  female  veered  so  as  to  present  her  front  to  the 
approaching  tiger,  and  flung  her  trunk  aloft. 

This  wonderful  organ,  composed  of  tens  of  thousands  of  muscles,  as  perhaps 
you  know,  is  extremely  sensitive,  and  the  owners  take  the  utmost  care  to  protect  it 
from  injury.  That  is  the  reason  why,  in  passing  through  a  forest,  they  often  hold 
it  aloft  and  out  of  the  way. 

The  flight  of  Jo  and  the  action  of  the  elephant  took  place  at  the  moment  that 
Dick  brought  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder  and  was  pressing  the  trigger.  The  confusion 
caused  him  to  hold  his  fire,  and,  before  he  could  aim  again,  the  tiger  attacked. 

Rising  in  air,  he  shot  across  the  intervening  space,  and  landed  on  the  haunch  of 
the  female,  which  uttered  a  cry  of  pain,  and  turned  around  in  the  vain  effort  to 
reach  him  with  her  trunk. 

But  the  rending  of  the  elephant's  thick  hide  was  all  by  the  way ;  the  assailant 
was  not  after  her,  but  after  the  white-faced  boy  crouching  in  the  howdah  on  her  back. 

The  tiger  held  his  position,  and  began  creeping  over  the  brown  haunch,  his  short 
ears  pressed  flat  on  his  head,  his  eyes  glaring,  his  sharp  teeth  showing  while  he  growled 
savagely  and  whipped  the  side  of  the  larger  brute  with  his  thumping  tail.  He  was 
the  embodiment  of  ferocity  as  he  steadily  climbed  toward  the  perch  of  the  youth, 
who  had  been  almost  within  his  reach  from  the  first. 

The  frenzied  swaying  of  the  elephant  bothered  Dick  for  a  moment,  but  he 
quickly  regained  his  self-possession. 

Unable  to  keep  his  feet  as  steadily  as  he  desired,  he  placed  one  knee  on  the 
seat  of  the  howdah,  and,  resting  the  barrel  of  his  rifle  on  the  back,  leveled  the 
weapon  at  his  foe. 

The  latter  was  so  close  that  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  was  almost  against  his  nose. 

At  so  slight  a  distance  a  miss  was  out  of  the  question,  and,  aiming  at  a  point 
directly  between  the  eyes  of  the  beast,  Dick  let  fly. 

•* 

363 


364 


A    FORTUNATE    SHOT. 


For  one  moment  the  appalled  lad  believed  he  had  failed,  for  the  tiger  gave  no 
evidence  of  being  hurt.  But,  glancing  through  the  thin  wreath  of  smoke  rising 
from  the  muzzle  of  his  gun,  he  saw  the  round  hole  made  by  the  bullet. 

It  was  red  and  clean  at  first,  without  any  blood,  but  the  crimson  fluid  began 
quickly  to  pour  from  the  opening. 

The  eyes  glared  with  the  same  burning  fierceness,  and  the  outstretched  claws 
were  still  buried  in  the  thick  hide  of  the  elephant,  piercing  the  tender  flesh  beneath 
and  causing  agonizing  pain. 

«  What  can  it  mean  ?  "  asked  Dick  ;  "  is  it  impossible  to  kill  one  of  those  brutes 
with  a  single  bullet  ?  " 


WARM  WORK. 

Just  then  he  observed  a  convulsive  shudder  pass  through  the  fore  legs  and  front; 
beyond  question  the  tiger  was  hit  hard  ;  indeed,  he  was  fatally  wounded,  but  it  did 
seem  as  if  death  itself  could  not  loosen  the  grip  of  his  needle-like  claws. 

At  that  instant  Dick  saw  that  the  tiger  was  sinking  toward  the  earth,  but  his 
grasp  was  not  relaxed,  and  the  elephant  was  going  with  him. 

Rendered  wild  by  her  suffering,  the  huge  beast  threw  herself  on  the  ground  with 
the  intention  of  crushing  her  foe  by  rolling  upon  him. 

Dick  made  a  bound  from  the  bowdah,  which  was  smashed  to  splinters  the  next 
moment  under  the  weight  of  the  elephant,  whose  trunk  and  beam-like  legs  were 
pointed  toward  the  sky  and  waddling  in  the  air  overhead.  The  tiger  missed  being 
caught  in  the  general  wreck  and  ruin,  but  he  was  almost  dead  before  the  ground 
was  reached. 


A    FORTUNATE    SHOT.  365 

His  final  struggle  at  last  released  his  hold,  and  he  rolled  away  from  the  elephant 
at  the  moment  he  would  have  been  crushed  had  he  hung  fast.  He  came  to  rest  on 
his  back,  with  his  legs  also  pointing  upward.  They  gave  a  few  twitches,  and  then 
it  was  all  over. 

So  the  tiger  was  killed  by  a  single  bullet  fired  by  Dick  Brownell. 

Meanwhile,  Mr.  Godkin,  finding  it  impossible  to  check  the  headlong  flight  of 
his  huge  steed,  took  a  rather  dangerous  leap  to  the  ground,  his  servant,  Jim,  doing 
the  same,  while  the  other  remained  in  his  seat  and  soon  after  reached  the  village 
without  harm. 

Mr.  Godkin  was  impelled  to  this  step  by  his  solicitude  for  Dick,  whom  he  had 
left  behind,  within  reach  of  the  infuriated  tiger.  On  his  way  back  he  met  the 
terrified  Jack,  who  assured  him  that  Jo  and  the  young  man  had  been  killed. 

A  short  distance  farther  Jo  was  encountered,  fleeing  also  for  his  life,  and  carry- 
ing the  tidings  that  Dick  was  entirely  swallowed  and  in  process  of  digestion  by  that 
time. 

Mr.  Godkin  might  have  felt  frightened  had  he  not  been  near  enough  to  the 
scene  of  the  conflict  to  see  that  his  young  friend,  the  report  of  whose  weapon  he 
had  heard,  was  alive  and  standing  on  his  feet  beside  the  prostrate  tiger  and  the 
elephant,  which  was  in  the  act  of  climbing  to  an  upright  posture  again. 

By  this  time  the  natives  began  to  flock  back,  the  news  having  been  carried  to 
the  crowds,  who  had  not  yet  reached  the  village,  that  a  fight  was  going  on  with  the 
tiger  which  they  might  be  able  to  look  upon  from  a  safe  distance. 

It  did  not  take  them  long  to  find  out  the  beast  had  been  killed  by  the  youngest 
member  of  the  party,  and  it  was  then  that  Dick  Brownell  experienced  a  taste  of  the 
annoyances  of  popularity.  Some  of  the  natives  seemed  to  suspect  he  was  above 
the  range  of  ordinary  mortals,  and  they  gathered  around  him  as  if  to  satisfy  their 
doubts. 

The  three  servants,  Jo,  Jack  and  Jim,  were  among  the  most  enthusiastic  ;  and  I 
am  afraid  that  Mr.  Godkin  mischievously  added  to  the  adulation  of  the  party  by 
relating  some  mythical  exploits  of  his  young  friend  on  the  other  side  of  the  great 
water. 


CHAPTER  LXVII. 

A  FRIGHTFUL  OCCURRENCE. 

,MONG  the  natives  who  crowded  admiringly  around  the  tiger-hunters  was  one 
whose  unusual  intelligence  attracted  their  notice.  He  was  mounted  on  a 
pony  similar  to  theirs,  and  seemed  such  a  desirable  companion  that  Mr. 
Godkin  asked  him  to  form  one  of  their  company,  offering  him  liberal  pay  for  his 
services. 

The  new  recruit,  who  was  immediately  christened  Jed,  accepted  the  offer  at 
once.  He  possessed  considerable  experience  of  the  kind  needed  by  our  friends, 
and  it  was  a  wise  proceeding  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Godkin  thus  to  engage  him. 

"It  would  have  been  a  fine  thing,"  remarked  Dick,  "if  we  could  have  captured 
that  tiger  for  Mr.  Barnum,  instead  of  killing  him." 

"That  was  out  of  the  question,"  replied  Mr.  Godkin.  "  Can  you  help  us,  Jed,  to 
pet  one  or  two  tiger  kittens?  " 

"  Yes,  sahib,"  was  the  prompt  response. 

Jed  then  explained  that,  while  riding  rapidly  along  the  road,  and  when  hardly  a 
mile  distant,  he  was  descending  a  long  hill  and  was  near  a  small  stream  which 
crossed  the  highway,  when  he  was  terrified  almost  out  of  his  senses  by  seeing  an 
enormous  tiger  emerge  from  the  jungle  on  his  right,  and  trot  across  the  road  in 
front,  less  than  a  hundred  feet  distant. 

Jed's  horse  stopped  short,  and  the  rider  was  on  the  point  of  wheeling  about  and 
dashing  back  to  Lucknow,  when  he  observed  that  the  animal  was  a  female,  and 
was  carrying  a  kitten  in  her  mouth. 

The  mother  tiger  is  very  affectionate,  and  she  was  so  engaged  in  her  task  that 
she  paid  no  heed  to  anything  else. 

Reaching  the  side  of  the  dusty  highway,  she  bounded  into  the  jungle  on  the 
other  side  and  disappeared. 

Jed  spurred  his  horse  forward  and  passed  the  spot  like  a  whirlwind.  Looking 
back,  after  going  a  considerable  distance,  he  saw  precisely  the  same  thing  repeated. 
The  tiger  was  trotting  across  the  road  again  with  a  second  kitten  in  her  mouth. 
Jed,  feeling  quite  safe,  halted  his  horse  and  waited  several  minutes,  but  nothing 
more  was  observed  of  the  beast.  The  conclusion  of  this  narrative  was  that  the 
tiger  had  two  young  at  least,  the  usual  number  being  from  three  to  five.  She  was 
undoubtedly  the  mate  of  the  tiger  that  had  been  killed,  and  the  coveted  opportunity 
of  obtaining  her  offspring  was  presented. 

"  But  I  tell  you  it's  mighty  dangerous  business,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  compressing 
his  lips  and  shaking  his  head  ;  "you  would  not  think  a  fiercer  brute  than  the  one  we 
have  just  shot  could  exist,  but  wait  till  you  see  a  tiger  mother  defending  her  young." 

366 


A    FRIGHTFUL    OCCURRENCE.  367 

"  I  don't  intend  to  creep  up  and  try  to  take  them  away  from  her ;  but  we've  got 
to  steal  them  when  she's  off  hunting  for  food.  Come,  Mr.  Godkin,  I'm  ready  if  you 
are." 

Ordinarily  it  would  have  been  hard,  if  not  impossible,  to  hire  a  number  of  natives 
to  take  part  in  such  a  desperate  enterprise ;  but  the  exploit  of  Dick  Brownell,  in 
slaying  the  terrible  scourge,  gave  them  such  boundless  faith  in  his  bravery  and 
skill  that  they  were  ready  to  follow  him  anywhere. 

A-G  a  consequence  the  four  signified  their  readiness  to  join  in  the  hunt  for  the 
tiger  kittens. 

The  preparations  for  the  desperate  venture  were  simple  and  soon  made.  It 
was  arranged  that  Jed,  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  should  ride  cautiously  forward,  the 
three  servants  following  them  at  a  short  distance.  Since  they  were  afoot,  and 
armed  with  only  their  primitive  weapons,  it  was  prudent  that  they  should  keep  well 
to  the  rear,  so  as  to  escape  any  sudden  onslaught  of  the  savage  beast. 

Jed  was  to  point  out  the  spot  where  she  had  entered  the  jungle,  and  it  then 
remained  for  our  friends  to  locate  the  home  of  the  animal  and  to  await  her  depart- 
ure, if  she  was  still  with  her  young,  before  attempting  to  steal  them. 

Jed  displayed  more  bravery  than  would  have  been  expected,  for  he  insisted  on 
keeping  several  rods  in  advance  of  the  other  horsemen.  He  seemed  to  think,  and 
not  without  reason,  that  his  greater  experience  in  hunting  all  kinds  of  wild  animals 
would  enable  him  to  detect  the  proximity  of  the  beast  before  the  Americans.  Jo, 
Jack  and  Jim  were  nearly  two  hundred  yards  to  the  rear  of  the  proprietors,  as  they 
may  be  called,  of  the  enterprise. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  point  where  Jed  had  seen  the  female  crossing 
the  highway  with  her  young  was  at  the  bottom  of  a  long  hill,  consequently  the  exact 
spot  could  not  be  distinguished  until  the  head  of  the  slope  was  reached,  so  as  to 
permit  the  horsemen  to  look  downward  in  front  at  the  small  stream  which  crossed 
the  highway. 

Jed  was  yet  some  distance  off,  his  pony  proceeding  on  a  walk,  when  he  was 
observed  to  check  his  animal,  turn  his  head,  and  motion  with  his  hand  for  his 
friends  to  halt. 

They  obeyed,  wondering  what  it  meant. 

"  Hark  !  "  whispered  Dick  ;  "  do  you  hear  that?  " 

Listening  intently,  the  faint,  regular  tinkling  of  a  small  bell  was  heard  coming 
from  a  point  beyond  the  hill  and  not  far  from  the  spot  our  friends  were  approaching. 

While  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  were  looking  they  observed  the  figure  of  a  native 
descending  the  opposite  slope  and  coming  toward  them.  He  was  nearly  naked, 
except  for  a  voluminous  turban  and  a  light  muslin  skirt  around  his  middle.  He  was 
advancing  on  a  loping  trot,  bearing  on  his  shoulder  a  slim  pole,  to  one  end  of 
which  was  attached  a  small  bell  that  gave  out  the  tinkling  which  arrested  the  at- 
tention of  the  party. 

This  fellow  was  one  of  the  native  postmen  of  India,  who  carry  the  mail  in 
that  fashion.  Unmindful  of  the  sweltering  weather,  one  of  those  tough  runners 


368 


A    FRIGHTFUL    OCCURRENCE. 


will  trot  five  or  ten  miles  along  the  dusty  highway,  bearing  a  bundle  of  letters  and 
papers.  The  small  bell  which  he  carries  suspended  to  the  stick  is  to  give  notice 
of  his  coming,  just  as  the  postman  in  this  country  apprises  us  of  his  approach  by 
blowing  his  whistle. 

The  native  trots  the  entire 
distance  until  he  meets  another 
postman  to  whom  he  delivers 
the  mail,  and,  while  the  second 
takes  up  the  trot,  the  first  turns 
about  and  goes  back  at  a  more 
leisurely  pace. 

"  I'm  afraid  that  fellow  is 
running  into  more  danger  than 
he  suspects,"  remarked  Mr. 
Godkin ;  "  I  have  often  won- 
dered why  they  persist  in  pro- 
claiming their  coming  in  that 
way,  for  the  sound  of  the  bell 
often  serves  to  guide  the  tiger 
lying  in  wait  for  his  victim." 

"  Ought  we  not  to  warn  him 
of  his  peril  ?  "  asked  Dick,  feel- 
ing that  the  poor  fellow's  life 
was  worth  more  than  a  thousand 
tiger  kittens. 

"  By  all  means,"  replied  his  companion. 
The  two   started    their   animals    at  the    same 
moment,  and  galloped  to  where  the  wondering  Jed 
awaited  their  approach.     They  quickly  explained 
their  wishes,  but  he  shook  his  head. 

"  Too  late  —  mebbe  no  tiger  there  !  " 
"  Listen  !  "  broke  in  Dick,  with  a  start  of  terror. 

The  hearts  of  the  two  almost  stopped  beating  as  they  heard  frenzied  shrieks 
and  screams,  just  such  as  a  strong  man  makes  when  caught  in  the  grip  of  some 
power  that  is  tearing  him  to  death. 

"  Come  on  !  "  called  Dick,  spurring  his  horse  into  such  a  gallop  that  he  quickly 
placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the  others,  who  followed  close  behind. 

Meanwhile,  the  rest  of  the  servants,  seeing  that  something  was  amiss,  took 
good  care  to  linger  in  the  background. 

A  sharp  ride  brought  the  three  horsemen  to  the  top  of  the  hill,  but,  brief  as  was 
the  gallop,  the  cries  of  the  poor  native  were  hushed  before  our  friends  could  gaze 
down  the  long  stretch  in  front  of  them. 

The  sight  they  saw  was  enough  to  startle  the  bravest  man. 


DEATH  OF  THE  POSTMAN. 


A    FRIGHTFUL   OCCURRENCE.  369 

It  is  more  than  probable  that  the  postman  had  met  his  death  by  the  means  Mr. 
Godkin  referred  to.  The  tiger  most  likely  was  nursing  her  young  at  some  distance 
from  the  roadside,  when  she  caught  the  tintinnabulation,  whose  meaning  she  knew. 
Leaving  her  kittens  in  their  new  bed,  she  crept  noiselessly  out  to  the  side  of  the 
highway  and  awaited  the  coming  of  the  man  with  the  tinkling  bell. 

Then  followed  the  long,  fearful  leap,  and  the  native  was  borne  to  the  earth,  and 
so  frightfully  torn  that  his  sufferings  were  mercifully  ended  almost  as  soon  as  they 
began. 

Looking  down  the  hill,  the  spectators  saw  the  tiger  holding  the  body  of  the  man 
in  her  mouth,  just  as  she  would  have  carried  one  of  her  kittens.  She  had  crushed 
him  down  in  the  middle  of  the  highway,  and,  lifting  his  body  so  that  only  his  bare 
heels  touched  the  ground,  she  trotted  from  the  road  into  the  jungle  with  no  more 
apparent  effort  than  if  carrying  one  of  her  tiny  young. 

This  proof  of  the  prodigious  strength  of  the  tiger  was  not  needed  by  our 
friends,  but  they  were  so  impressed  by  what  they  saw,  that  for  a  few  minutes  they 
looked  in  each  other's  face  without  speaking. 

"  What  a  pity  we  did  not  arrive  sooner,"  was  the  remark  of  Dick,  made  in  a  low 
voice,  as  if  afraid  of  attracting  the  attention  of  their  terrible  enemy. 

"  Yes ;  and  the  fact  that  that  man  lost  his  life  through  his  own  shortsightedness 
cannot  lessen  our  pity  for  him.  I  tell  you,  Dick,  I  think  Mr.  Barnum  will  excuse 
you  from  capturing  one  or  two  young  tigers." 

"  But  I  will  not  excuse  myself,"  was  the  sturdy  response.  "  I  am  more  resolved 
than  ever  to  rob  that  merciless  beast  of  her  offspring." 

"  All  right ;  I  am  with  you ;  but  it  strikes  me  that  since  she  has  secured  a  good 
day's  meal,  she  will  not  be  apt  to  leave  her  young  for  some  time,  and  we  are  likely 
to  have  a  tedious  wait  of  it." 

"  I  am  afraid  so,  but  I  was  thinking  that  if  it  was  her  husband  which  we  shot, 
she  may  set  out  to  hunt  him  up,  if  he  stays  out  too  late." 

Mr.  Godkin  looked  inquiringly  at  Jed,  who  nodded  his  head. 

"  Mebbe  so — don't  know  —  wait  —  see." 

"  Where  shall  we  wait  ?  "  was  the  important  question  which  Dick  proposed  for 
joint  consideration. 

By  this  time  Jo,  Jack  and  Jim  had  gained  enough  courage  to  move  forward  and 
join  the  horsemen,  when  they  quickly  learned  all  that  had  taken  place. 

The  reasonable  conclusion  was  formed  by  all  that  the  tiger  would  be  likely  to 
indulge  in  her  siesta  during  the  afternoon,  breaking  it  only  at  long  intervals  to  go 
to  the  brook  near  at  hand  to  quench  her  thirst.  Toward  night  she  would  probably 
set  out  to  look  for  her  mate,  or  perhaps  to  seek  more  game,  though  after  such  a 
feast  she  could  conveniently  go  several  days  without  any  food. 

The  decision  was  to  ride  silently  down  the  hill  and  up  the  opposite  one.  Jed 
informed  them  that  a 'native  hut  stood  but  a  small  distance  beyond.  There  they 
would  leave  their  animals,  and  carefully  make  their  way  back  to  the  spot,  approach- 
ing as  near  as  they  dared.  They  would  then  hide  themselves  in  the  dense  jungle, 


370 


A   FRIGHTFUL   OCCURRENCE, 


and  watch  and  wait,  with  no  encouraging  prospect  of  success,  as  must  be  con- 
fessed. The  duty  of  passing  directly  over  the  spot  where  a  man  had  been  killed  but  a 
few  minutes  before  was  anything  but  pleasant,  even  to  such  brave  persons  as  Dick 
and  Mr.  Godkin,  but  it  seemed  necessary,  since  there  was  no  way  of  going  around 
the  place,  and  it  was  too  far  to  ride  to  the  native  village. 

Mr.  Godkin  told  those  on  foot  that  if  they  feared  to  make  the  venture,  they 
need  not  do  so ;  but,  when  they  saw  the  horsemen  start,  and  probably,  too,  when 
they  recalled  the  wonderful  bravery  and  marksmanship  of  the  young  man,  they 
showed  no  hesitation  in  following. 

All  instinctively  held  their  peace  as  they  slowly  descended  the  hill,  but  you 
may  be  sure  that  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  were  certain  their  rifles  were  ready  for  the 
emergency,  and  they  glanced  from  right  to  left  like  a  couple  of  Indian  warriors 
approaching  a  hostile  camp. 

The  youth  half  wished  the  tiger  would  show  herself,  though  he  would  have  been 
sorry  indeed  to  see  any  member  of  the  party  lose  his  life ;  but  if  the  mother  could 
be  put  out  of  the  way,  the  task  of  securing  the  kittens  would  be  much  simplified 


CHAPTER  LXVIII. 

CAUGHT    IN    THE    ACT. 

|  N  absolute  silence  the  three  horsemen  rode  down  the  long  hill.  The  horses,  as 
if  in  sympathy  with  their  riders,  seemed  to  plant  their  hoofs  more  guardedly 
in  the  soft  dust  of  the  highway,  while  they  flung  their  ears  forward  and 
glanced  to  the  right  and  left  like  creatures  who  scent  danger  in  the  air. 

Dick  was  allowed  to  keep  a  few  steps  in  front  of  Jed,  while  Mr.  Godkin  was 
abreast  of  the  latter,  the  footmen  walking  behind  in  Indian  file.  I  must  remind 
you  that  there  was  no  fence  on  either  side  of  the  highway,  and  the  little  stream, 
which  was  only  a  few  inches  in  depth,  had  to  be  waded  by  all  who  passed  that  way. 
The  jungle  came  close  to  the  road  on  either  side,  and  was  so  dense  that  when  Dick 
glanced  at  it,  he  could  not  help  muttering  to  himself  :  "  What  finer  place  could  a 
tiger  want  for  hiding "  The  question  was  not  finished  when  the  tiger  ap- 
peared. 

It  may  have  been  that  she  was  in  an  unusually  wrathful  mood,  because  she 
thought  her  enemies  were  seeking  to  disturb  her  before  she  could  complete  her 
feast,  for  she  hardly  waited  until  the  foremost  horseman  was  opposite  to  where  she 
was  crouching  when  she  made  her  attack. 

While  looking  at  the  dense  jungle  on  his  right,  Dick  observed  a  slight  agitation 
of  the  vegetation,  and  before  he  could  tell  what  it  meant,  the  body  of  the  tiger 
shot  outward  and  upward  as  if  propelled  from  a  catapult. 

The  figure  of  the  immense  beast,  brilliant,  ferocious  and  frightfully  beautiful  as 
she  seemed  suspended  for  a  single  instant  in  mid-air,  was  a  sight  which,  once  seen, 
must  remain  vivid  forever. 

Those  who  stood  in  the  background  saw  the  horrid  front,  the  half-contracted 
limbs,  the  drooping  tail,  as  the  lithe,  sinewy  form  curved  over  toward  the  appar- 
ently doomed  lad. 

The  latter  observed  the  frightful  head  with  the  flaming  eyes,  the  ears  flat- 
tened back,  the  wide-open  jaws  with  their  long,  white,  gleaming  teeth  and  blood- 
red  mouth,  as  the  beast  seemed  rushing  through  space  like  a  comet  directly  at  him. 

The  intelligent  animal  that  Dick  bestrode  had  detected  the  peril  before  his  rider, 
and  made  one  tremendous  bound  forward.  Thus  it  happened  that  when  the  as- 
saulting beast  landed,  it  was  on  the  ground  several  paces  behind  its  intended  victim. 

It  would  have  been  an  easy  matter  for  her  to  leap  upon  the  pony  of  Dick,  or  to 
wheel  and  attack  either  of  the  other  horsemen  that  were  at  hand ;  but  you  may  not 
know  that  it  is  a  peculiarity  of  the  tiger  that,  when  it  misses  seizing  its  prey  at 
the  first  leap,  it  generally  refrains  from  repeating  it,  turning  about  and  dashing  ofl 
as  if  ashamed  of  its  failure. 


372 


CAUGHT   IN   THE    ACT. 


The  female 
did  so  in  this 
case,  and,  al- 
though Dick 
and  Mr.  Godkin 
fired  at  her  as 
she  darted  into 
the  jungle,  and 
were  sure  they 
struck  her,  she 
showed  no  signs 
of  receiving  any 
injury. 

"Now  is  our 
time  to  hurry 
by,"  called  out 
Mr.  Godkin  to 
the  servants  be- 
hind  them ; 
"she  won't  hurt 
us  if  we  make 
haste." 

The  ponies 
were  forced  in- 
to a  sharp  gal- 
lop, which  they 
maintained  all 
the  way  to  the 
top  of  the  long 
hill  in  front,  Jo, 
Jack  and  Jim 

skurrying  after  them  with   such    swiftness  that 
they  were  but  a  very  little  way  behind. 

Dick  and  his  friend  could  afford  to  laugh  at 
their  singular  experience  with  the  tiger,  and  the 
lad  did  not  fail  to  give  full  credit  to  his  sagacious 
beast,  which  had  snatched   him  from  under   the 
descending  monster,  who,  had  she  alighted  where 
she  intended,  would  have  made  as  short  work 
with  the  plucky  boy  as  she  had  done  with  the 
unfortunate  postman  a  short  time  before. 
As  the  party  hastened  from  the  spot  they  saw  the  shocking  evidences  of  the 
tragedy.     Blood  and  the  torn  turban  were  on  the  ground,  while  the  long  pole  with 
its  bell  and  fragments  of  paper  were  scattered  about. 


CAUGHT  IN  THE  ACT 


CAUGHT   IN    THE   ACT.  373 

"  I  am  going  to  have  one  or  both  of  those  tiger  kittens,  or  die  in  the  attempt," 
said  Dick,  when  they  reined  up  shortly  after  in  front  of  the  native's  hut  by  the  way- 
side. "  I  propose  that  we  shall  leave  all  the  rest  here,  while  you  and  I  steal  back 
along  the  highway  and  see  what  we  can  see." 

"  I  like  the  suggestion,  for  I  don't  believe  we  can  all  hide  from  her,  and'  the 
natives  are  really  of  no  account  in  the  task  we  have  undertaken,  or  rather,  are 
about  to  undertake." 

This  proposition,  as  may  be  supposed,  was  not  objected  to  by  the  others,  and 
it  was  about  the  middle  of  the  afternoon  when  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  set  out  on 
foot  to  return  to  the  little  stream  which  had  been  the  scene  of  so  many  stirring 
occurrences  of  the  day. 

They  met  no  persons,  either  riaing  or  on  foot,  and  reached  a  point  about  half 
way  down  the  hill  before  they  stoppe^  Deeming  it  unwise  to  go  farther,  they 
softly  crept  into  the  jungle  to  wait,  with  little  prospect  of  success,  as  any  one  must 
admit  who  studies  the  situation. 

But  that  which  they  wished  to  come  to  pass  did  so  sooner  than  they  dared  hope. 

They  had  no  more  than  comfortably  established  themselves  in  the  thick  vege- 
tation, so  close  to  the  highway  that,  by  parting  the  bushes  in  front,  they  could 
look  down  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill  and  see  the  gleam  of  the  water  in  the  small 
stream  that  wound  its  way  across  the  road,  when  Mr.  Godkin  exclaimed,  in  an  ex- 
cited whisper : 

"  By  gracious  !  there  she  is  now  !  " 

Sure  enough,  as  Dick  peered  forth  he  discerned  the  identical  beast,  which  had 
emerged  from  the  same  point  in  the  jungle  where  she  had  vanished,  and  approached 
the  water.  She  was  in  the  middle  of  the  highway,  and  was  walking  slowly, 
swinging  her  tail  from  side  to  side,  and  looking  straight  ahead.  She  was  so  near 
that  she  was  seen  to  be  licking  her  bloody  jaws. 

"A  tiger  often  stops  to  drink  while  eating,"  whispered  Mr.  Godkin,  "and  that  is 
what  she  is  after." 

Such  proved  to  be  the  fact.  Arriving  on  the  edge  of  the  stream,  the  tiger 
lowered  her  head  and  lapped  the  cool  current,  just  as  the  cat  species  do  when 
taking  a  drink. 

She  quickly  slaked  her  thirst,  and  then,  raising  her  head,  looked  around,  as  i< 
to  say : 

"  If  there  are  any  more  of  you  folks  that  would  like  to  pay  me  a  visit,  I'd  be 
glad  to  welcome  you." 

"It  can't  be  she  sees  us,"  said  Dick,  "but  why  does  she  look  so  long  in  thi? 
direction?" 

"There  she  goes!  " 

The  tiger  turned  about  and  walked  back  with  the  same  deliberate  tread  until 
opposite  the  point  where  she  had  emerged  from  the  jungle,  when  she  made  a  leap 
into  it  and  disappeared. 

But  she  did  so  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  highway. 


374  CAUGHT    IN    THE    ACT. 

"  That's  lucky  !  "  exclaimed  Dick,  "she's  gone  off  to  hunt  her  mate.  Now's  our 
time  !  " 

"You  may  be  right,  but  it  will  be  awfully  awkward  if  she  happens  to  come  back 
before  we  can  get  away." 

lf  Come  on  ;  every  minute  counts." 

It  was  just  like  the  lad  to  push  his  way  through  the  jungle  into  the  road,  and  to 
go  down  the  hill  almost  on  a  run,  Mr.  Godkin  finding  it  hard  to  keep  up  with  him. 

Dick  did  half  expect  the  mother  to  return,  but  he  believed  that,  after  the  two 
bullets  sent  into  her  body,  he  and  his  companion  could  make  short  work  of  her  with 
their  weapons. 

You  will  suspect  that  his  success  earlier  in  the  day  gave  him  more  self-assur- 
ance than  he  should  have  felt,  and  I  have  no  doubt  such  was  the  fact. 

"  Her  home  can't  be  far  off,"  remarked  Dick,  recalling  how  close  the  animal 
was  to  the  highway  when  she  made  her  desperate  effort  to  leap  upon  his  horse. 

"  I  shall  soon  find  out,"  he  added,  boldly  entering  the  vegetation.  "  Helloa  I 
this  is  luck." 

It  was  less  than  fifty  feet  from  the  road  that  a  faint  purring  sound  fell  upon  his 
ear,  and  the  next  minute  he  came  upon  a  couple  of  beautiful  tiger  kittens,  playing 
and  tumbling  over  each  other  like  two  puppies. 

"  Here,  hold  my  gun  !  "  whispered  the  excited  Dick,  running  back  a  few  steps, 
and  handing  his  weapon  to  Mr.  Godkin ;  "  stay  where  you  are  till  I  return." 

The  man  was  half  dazed  as  he  accepted  the  rifle,  by  the  audacity  of  the  youth, 
who,  without  giving  him  time  to  protest,  ran  forward  again,  and,  paying  no  heed  to 
the  mangled  remains  of  the  poor  postman,  seized  each  kitten  by  the  nape  of  the 
neck,  lifted  them  clear  of  the  ground  and  started  off. 

The  little  ones  thus  unceremoniously  disturbed  struggled  hard,  but  he  had  no 
difficulty  in  holding  them  fast,  and,  with  a  heart  beating  high  with  exultation,  he 
started  back  to  rejoin  his  companion,  awaiting  his  return  on  the  edge  of  the  jungle. 

But  before  he  could  catch  sight  of  him  a  muttering  growl  caused  him  to  turn 
his  head  like  a  flash. 

There  stood  the  infuriated  mother,  less  than  twenty  feet  distant,  with  her  blazing 
eyes  fixed  upon  him. 

Her  attitude  seemed  to  say : 

u  Young  man,  I've  returned  !    Drop  that  property  of  mine  and  say  your  prayers." 


CHAPTER  LXIX. 

TWO    CURIOSITIES. 

1^0 THING  could  surpass  the  audacity  of  Dick  Brownell  in  entering  the  tiger's 
*f     lair  for  the  purpose  of  stealing  her  young. 

The  most  experienced  hunter  that  would  dare  do  such  a  thing  would  be 
declared  reckless  beyond  excuse.  The  only  thing  that  I  can  say  about  the  exploit 
was  that  it  was  characteristic  of  the  lad. 

It  was  a  strange  sight  when  the  youth,  picking  his  way  through  the  jungle  toward 
the  highway,  holding  a  plump,  squirming  kitten  in  each  hand,  stopped  short,  face 
to  face  with  the  terrible  mother. 

The  latter,  instead  of  going  off  for  an  hour  or  two,  had  made  a  circuit  through 
tne  jungle  on  the  other  side  of  the  highway,  recrossed  it  farther  up  at  the  moment 
the  two  friends  were  entering  the  undergrowth,  and  approached  her  lair  by  a  cir- 
cuitous course. 

Just  as  Dick  darted  back  to  his  friend,  with  the  request  that  he  should  hold  his 
gun  for  a  minute  or  two,  it  occurred  to  Mr.  Godkin  that  the  true  place  for  him  was 
on  the  edge  of  the  jungle,  where  he  could  watch  the  road  and  detect  the  tiger  should 
she  return  before  they  could  get  away. 

Had  the  gentleman  been  one  minute  sooner  in  taking  his  post,  he  would  have 
discovered  the  danger  in  time  to  warn  his  companion,  and  to  prepare  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  mother ;  but  the  movements  of  the  beast  were  silent  and  lightning-like. 

Dick  was  "caught  foul,"  as  the  expression  goes. 

There  he  stood  in  front  of  the  beast,  transfixed,  and  holding  her  beloved  offspring 
by  the  napes  of  their  necks,  clear  proof  that  he  was  engaged  in  stealing  her  progeny. 

What  punishment  was  too  great  for  the  outraged  mother  to  inflict  upon  such  a 
miscreant  ? 

According  to  Dick's  account  he  was  absolutely  paralyzed  for  the  moment.  He 
did  not  think  it  possible  the  mother  would  return  so  soon,  though  he  was  prepared 
for  a  fight  with  her  before  getting  off  with  his  prizes. 

Then,  knowing  how  strong  the  attachment  of  the  tiger  is  for  her  young,  he  gave 
such  a  vigorous  fling  to  each  of  the  kittens  that  they  went  over  her  head  and  fell 
among  the  bushes  behind  her,  or  rather  one  of  them  did  so. 

It  was  at  this  extraordinary  juncture  that  the  beast  gave  a  striking  and  singular 
exhibition  of  her  dexterity. 

The  second  kitten  was  going  through  the  air  like  a  big  dumpling,  when  the 
mother  threw  up  her  head  and  caught  it  fairly  between  her  jaws,  doing  so  with  a  skill 
that  prevented  any  harm  to  her  offspring,  and  with  a  deftness  that  would  have  been  a 
strong  recommendation  for  a  position  in  the  champion  base-ball  nine  of  the  country. 

375 


376 


TWO    CURIOSITIES. 


The  instant  the  kittens  left  the  hands  of  Dick,  he  whirled  about  and  dashed  fot 
the  highway,  shouting : 

"  Look  out,  Mr.  Godkin  !     The  mother  has  arrived  !  '•' 

Before  the  gentleman  could  rush  into  the  jungle  to  the  help  of  his  young  friend, 
the  latter  was  at  his  side. 

"  Here  !  let  me  have  my  gun  1 "  he  added,  reaching  for  the  weapon  ;  "  it's  get- 
ting too  warm  for  me  in  there  !  " 

"  There  couldn't  be  a  better  time  for  making  a  change  of  base,"  was  the  com- 
ment of  the  elder,  who  leaped  almost  into  the  middle  of  the  highway ;  "  depend 
upon  it,  she  will  come  for  us." 

Mr.  Godkin  was  right.  Evidently  the  tiger  tarried  only  long  enough  to  make 
sure  her  children  were  unharmed,  and  to  place  them  back  in  their  Led,  when  she 
burst  through  the  jungle,  aflame  with  fury  and  with  the  intent  of  visiting  awful 
vengeance  upon  those  who  had  dared  to  lay  hands  on  her  offspring. 

Her  charge  could  not  have  been  better  timed  —  that  is,  for  those  who  had  to 
receive  it. 

They  were  on  the  other  side  of  the  highway  with  guns  at  their  shoulder  and 
ready  for  the  raging  beast. 

She  looked  around  for  an  instant,  as  if  to  locate  her  victims,  and  then  she 
squatted  to  gather  her  muscles  for  the  leap  that  was  to  be  the  death-signal  of  the 
hunters. 

But  at  the  very  moment  she  was  leaving  the  ground  the  two  rifles  were  dis- 
charged —  so  nearly  together  that  the  reports  were  like  that  of  a  single  gun.  The 
aim  was  accurate,  both  bullets  entering  the  brain  of  the  tiger,  who  made  an  odd, 
twisting  jump  almost  straight  upward,  and,  falling  on  her  back,  lay  a  moment 
pawing  the  air,  and  then  became  still. 

"  I  wonder  if  she's  dead  ?  "  said  Dick,  reloading  his  gun,  but  with  one  eye  fixed 
on  the  motionless  brute. 

"  As  dead  as  dead  can  be,"  was  the  reply  of  Mr.  Godkin,  who  proved  his  faith 
in  his  own  words  by  walking  forward  and  giving  the  body  a  kick. 

"  Those  two  bullets  that  we  plumped  into  her  body  awhile  ago  and  that  didn't 
seem  to  do  any  hurt,  produced  their  good  effect  after  all,"  added  the  elder,  "  though 
we  had  such  a  fair  aim  that  I  think  either  of  our  shots  would  have  finished  her." 

"  Like  her  mate,  she  deserved  death,"  remarked  Dick,  "but  only  think!"  he 
exclaimed,  slapping  the  shoulder  of  Mr.  Godkin,  "  that  gives  us  the  prizes  we're 
after." 

"  And  there  they  are  !  " 

The  two  kittens  (as  they  will  often  do  when  with  their  mother)  had  left  their  bed, 
and  appeared  on  the  edge  of  the  jungle,  blinking,  winking  and  tumbling  about  as 
though  curious  to  learn  the  cause  of  all  the  excitement. 

They  were  pretty,  plump  creatures,  though  even  in  their  playful  gambols  their 
claws  and  teeth  gave  evidence  of  the  fearful  weapons  they  were  sure  to  become  in 
the  course  of  time. 


TWO    CURIOSITIES. 


377 


"  Poor  things  !  "  said  Dick,  with  mock  sympathy ;  "  only  think,  they  are  orphans 
now,  and  entitled  to  our  care  ;  so  I'll  take  charge  of  them."  Passing  his  rifle  once 
more  to  his  friend,  he  picked  up  the  kittens  as  before,  and  started  up  the  hill  with 


Wf;|WK 

\^i|fi| 

41pOTi 


'  •  -^if-  '••". 


IN  THE  NICK  OF  TIME. 


them.  They  did  not  weigh  more  than  a  dozen  pounds  apiece,  and  for  a  brief  time 
were  quite  docile.  Supported  by  the  loose  skin  at  the  back  of  the  neck,  it  is  not 
likely  that  at  first  they  felt  any  special  discomfort ;  but,  before  the  top  of  the  hill 


378  TWO    CURIOSITIES. 

was  reached,  they  were  squirming  about  with  a  vigor  that  compelled  attention. 
It  was  now  arranged  that  each  of  the  hunters  should  carry  a  young  one  in  his 
arms.  This  had  its  disadvantages,  and  both  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  received  some 
scratches ;  but,  by  humoring  the  little  terrors,  they  managed  to  get  them  to  the 
wayside  hut,  where,  as  may  be  supposed,  their  arrival  produced  a  stir  amounting 
almost  to  consternation. 

In  this  simple  dwelling  dwelt  an  old  man  and  his  daughter,  a  middle-aged 
woman,  who  were  sure  that  the  mother  of  the  kittens  would  follow  the  kidnapers  to 
the  spot,  and  slay  every  one  of  the  party. 

Jed  and  the  other  natives  were  of  the  same  opinion,  until  assured  that  the 
mother  had  departed  this  life. 

Mr.  Godkin  was  waggish  enough  to  try  to  make  the  rest  believe  that  Dick  had 
fired  the  shot  that  killed  the  second  tiger,  as  he  had  fired  the  one  that  slew  the 
first ;  but,  inasmuch  as  it  was  all  he  could  do  to  persuade  them  that  the  second  had 
really  been  killed,  he  stuck  to  the  facts. 

It  could  not  be  denied  that  our  friends  had  done  an  inestimable  service  to  the 
neighborhood  by  ridding  it  of  two  such  dreaded  man-eaters,  and  when  the  natives 
should  come  to  learn  the  glad  tidings  there  would  be  hardly  anything  that  they 
would  not  willingly  do  to  prove  their  gratitude. 

The  owner  of  the  hut  knew  the  postman  who  had  been  killed  by  the  tiger,  and 
gave  his  name  to  Jed,  who  promised  to  inform  his  relatives  living  in  Lucknow.  As 
for  the  destroyed  mail,  that  would  have  to  be  left  to  other  parties  to  look  after. 

"But  we've  got  the  kittens,"  said  Dick,  exultingly,  "and  what  shall  we  do  with 
them." 

"  Send  them  to  Lucknow  by  Jed  ;  I  will  give  him  the  name  of  our  friend  there, 
with  whom  I  made  arrangements  the  other  day,  and  he  will  take  good  care  of 
anything  we  may  forward,  until  we  are  ready  to  ship  them  to  Calcutta,  and  thence 
to  England  and  home."  The  suggestion  was  a  wise  one,  and  it  was  carried  out. 

With  the  help  of  the  native  at  whose  hut  they  were  stopping,  a  bamboo  cage 
was  constructed,  large  enough  to  hold  the  tiger  kittens,  while,  at  the  same  time,  it 
could  be  carried  without  inconvenience  on  the  horse  in  front  of  the  rider. 

Lucknow  was  so  nigh  that  it  was  but  a  moderate  ride  thither,  and  Jed  gladly 
undertook  the  duty  of  delivering  the  prizes  to  the  gentleman  named  by  Mr.  Godkin, 
and  who  was  well  known. 

It  was  so  late  in  the  day,  however,  that  the  entire  party  spent  the  night  in  and 
around  the  hut  of  their  host,  who  received  liberal  payment  for  his  food  and  some- 
what primitive  accommodations. 

Early  the  next  day  Jed  left  with  his  prizes,  promising  to  come  back  and  join  his 
new  friends  in  their  hunt  for  other  curiosities. 

On  the  same  day  that  witnessed  the  departure  of  the  native  Jed  with  the  two 
tiger  kittens,  our  friends  moved  their  quarters  several  miles  to  the  southwest.  This 
took  them  somewhat  farther  from  Lucknow,  which,  however,  may  be  said  to  have 
been  within  easy  reach. 


TWO    CURIOSITIES.  379 

The  surrounding  country  offered  admirable  facilities  for  hunting,  and  they  were 
on  the  edge  of  another  jungle,  not  so  extensive  as  that  in  which  took  place  the 
adventures  with  the  tiger,  but  large  enough  to  shelter  the  fiercest  animals  found  in 
India. 

The  forenoon  passed  without  special  incident,  though  the  spoor  of  a  herd  of 
elephants  was  observed.  It  was  the  opinion  of  Mr.  Godkin  that  it  was  not  worth 
while  to  attempt  to  capture  any  of  them,  since  there  are  always  so  many  tame  ones 
to  be  had  at  a  fair  price,  and  that  is  the  most  practical  way  of  securing  them. 

Dick  Brownell,  however,  thought  that  it  would  be  a  fine  thing  to  make  prisoners 
of  some  of  the  huge  beasts,  and  more  than  once  he  declared  that  he  meant  to  make 
the  attempt  when  a  favorable  opportunity  presented. 

It  was  yet  early  in  the  afternoon  when  the  party  sought  a  place  to  rest  until  the 
fervid  heat  of  the  day  should  subside  so  as  to  render  action  upon  their  part  less 
trying  and  oppressive.  As  before,  the  two  horses  were  allowed  to  move  at  will 
along  the  edge  of  the  jungle,  while  the  owners  and  the  three  natives  stretched  them- 
selves in  the  shade,  where  the  air  was  so  suffocating  that  it  would  be  an  error  to 
speak  of  it  as  cool,  or  in  any  sense  pleasant. 


CHAPTER  LXX. 

ATTACKED  IN  FRONT  AND  REAR. 

THE    temperature    continued    so 
high  during   the  afternoon    that    Mr. 
Godkin    decided   to    defer 
anything  in  the  nature  of 
a  systematic  hunt 
for  curiosities. 
He  had  such  faitk 
in  Jed's    ability 
that  he  wished  his 
presence    if    pos- 
sible  during   the 
most  important 
efforts  of  himself 
and  Dick. 


The  latter  found  the  idleness  so  irk- 
some, that  he  ventured  off  on  a  little 
tour  of  his  own,  leaving  the  natives 
asleep  and  the  director  smoking  his 
hookah  and  about  ready  to  follow  them 
into  the  land  of  dreams. 

When  young  Brownell  was  alone  in 


380 


ATTACKED    IN    FRONT    AND    REAR. 


38i 


the  Aisatic  jungle,  he  was  not  surprised  to  find  his  self-confidence  considerably 
lessened.  His  experience  in  South  Africa  had  taught  him  that  the  most  skillful 
hunter  is  always  in  peril,  and  that  that  sportsman  is  unwise  who,  however  well 
armed,  ventures  far  into  a  wild  country  without  companions. 

It  was  because  of  his  previous  experience  and  the 
fact  that  he  held  a  good  knowledge  of  the  perils  of 
the  hunt  in  East  India,  that  he  did  not  extend  his 
wanderings   far.     He    saw  innumerable    birds,   some 
with  brilliantly  beautiful  plumage,  including  parrots, 
paroquets,  cockatoos,  macaws.     He  caught  a  glimpse 
of  a  panther,  and  descried  a  serpent  a  dozen  feet  in 
length,  coiled  around  a  limb  above  his   head.     The 
reptile    seemed    to   be   watching  him   with    such   an 
attentive  expression,  that  he  made  a  circuit  that  car- 
ried him  out  of  sight  of  it.     Returning  to  camp  as 
the  day  was  drawing  to  a  close,  Dick  joined  his 
Iriends  at  the  evening  meal,  consisting  of  some 
well-cooked  goat's  meat  and  fruit. 

Now,  you  need  not  be  reminded  that  no 
•ompany  of  men  would  dare  lie  down  in  a 
Jungle  with  the  purpose  of  sleeping  through 
the   night   without  any  guard. 
While  the  fire  of  itself  always 
serves  as  a  wall  against  the  too 
aear  approach  of  the  fierce  creat- 
mres   that   throng  those    dense 
forests,  yet,  as  the  hours  pass, 
the  flames  smoulder,  until,  long 
before  morning,  nothing  more 
than  a  few  embers  are  left,  for 
which   no   wild    animal   would 
care  a  straw. 

Since  many  of  the  denizens 
about  which  I  am  telling  you 
are  nocturnal  in  their  habits, 
a  most  tempting  opportunity 
would  present  itself  to  them, —  THE  COCKATOO 

too  tempting  indeed  for  any  pru- 
dent person  to  take  the  risk.     Besides,  the  horses  are  also  exposed  to  the  same 
peril  and  are  too  valuable  to  the  hunters  to  be  lost  in  that  way. 

"  I  have  had  a  good   deal  of  sleep  this  afternoon,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "  and  will 
act  as  sentinel  until  midnight,  when,  if  you  choose,  you  may  take  my  place." 

"  That  will  suit  me,"  replied  Dick,  "  for  I  had  a  good  long  sleep  last  night,  and 


382 


ATTACKED  IN  FRONT  AND  REAR. 


a  few  hours  more  will  be  all  I  can  need  for  some  time  to  come,  though,"  he  added 
with  a  laugh,  looking  at  the  others,  "Jack  and  Jim  and  Jo  ought  to  be  able  to  keep 
their  eyes  open  for  a  week  to  come." 

The  natives  were  always  ready  to  obey  orders,  and  they  expressed  a  wish  to  go 
on  -guard,  but  Dick  thanked  them  and  said  he  would  wait  until  the  next  night,  when 
he  would  probably  give  them  all  they  wanted  of  that  business. 

The  horses  were  brought  so  near  that  they  were  in  plain  sight  and  within  the 
circle  of  light  thrown  out  by  the  fire  that  was  kept  burning  vigorously.  Before  the 
natives  sank  in  slumber,  they  gathered  enough  wood  to  last  until  daylight,  —  a 
comparatively  easy  task,  since  there  was  an  abundance  of  fuel  all  around  them. 

The  warmth  of  the  night  was  such  that  the  heat  of  the  flames  added  nothing  to 
the  comfort  of  our  friends,  who  would  have  found  it  much  more  pleasant  to  stretch 
themselves  on  the  bare  ground,  but  for  the  danger  to  which  I  have  referred. 

The  glare  of  the  fire  brought  innumerable  insects  from  the  jungle,  and  they 
swarmed  about  the  flames,  thousands  of  them  falling  victims,  like  so  many  moths, 

to  their  own  recklessness.  Now  and 
then,  the  cry  of  some  wild  animal  re- 
sounded among  the  trees,  but  the  party 
were  so  accustomed  to  such  noises  that 
they  caused  them  no  disturbance  and 
interfered  not  the  least  with  their  slum 
ber.  Dick  lay  as  near  the  fire  as  he 
could  with  comfort,  his  back  being 
turned  toward  it.  He  was  tired  from 
the  exertions  of  the  day,  which,  you  will 
agree,  were  enough  in  their  way  to  fur- 
nish a  veteran  hunter  with  material  for 
an  indefinite  number  of  reminiscences. 
But  fortunately  we  are  so  constituted 
that  we  can  become  used  to  almost  any- 
thing, and  the  youth  saw  nothing  in 
what  had  befallen  him  since  coming  to 
India  that  was  remarkable,  except  in 
the  one  fact  that  he  had  been  extremely 
fortunate  and  a  kind  heaven  seemed  to 
have  had  him  in  its  kindly  keeping. 
Dick,  like  the  manly  fellow  that  he  was, 
realized  that  fact  and  did  not  fail  always 
to  give  thanks  to  the  beneficent  Power 

CRESTED  HAWK  PARROT.  that  had  shielded  him  from  all  harm. 

"What  time  is  it,  Mr.  Godkin?"  inquired  Dick  Brownell,  stretching  his  limbs. 
"Just  one  o'clock,"  replied  the  director,  replacing  his  watch. 
"You  ought  to  have  called  me  before." 


ATTACKED    IN    FRONT    AND    R.EAR. 


"I  wouldn't  have  waked  you  be- 
fore daylight." 

"Just  like  you,"  was  the  grateful 
remark  of  Dick,  as  he  rose  to  a  sit- 
ting posture,  and,  rubbing  his  eyes, 
looked  up  in  the  smiling  face  of  his 
friend,  and  then  blinked  at  the  bright 
fire  untu  ills  vision  became  accustomed  to 
the  glare. 

"Have  you  noticed  anything?"  asked 
the  lad,  glancing  at  the  lock  of  his  rifle 
before  rising  to  his  feet. 

"Nothing  special,  though  I  am  quite 
sure  there  is  more  than  one  animal  prowl- 
ing among  the  trees  out  there;  but  they 
won't  be  apt  to  trouble  you,  so  long  as  you 
keep  the  fire  burning,  and  there  is  plenty  of 
fuel  for  that." 

"  I'll  not  forget  it,  you  may  be  sure." 
Mr.  Godkin  drew  an  ember  from  the 
flames,  and,  lighting  his  pipe,  sat  down  with 
his  back  against  a  tree. 

"  I'll  keep  you  company  for  a  while,"  he 
remarked,  beginning  to  puff  the  vapor  with 
the  enjoyment  of  an  old  devotee  of  the  weed. 
"  It  looks,"  said  Dick.  "  as  if  you  had 
spent  all  your  time  pacing  back  and  forth: 
the  ground  is  pretty  well  worn  for  some 
distance." 

"  That  is  the  only  safe  thing  to  do,  when 
you  want  to  keep  awake,  as  you  learned  in 
Africa.  You  know  what  an  insidious  enemy 
sleep  is,  and,  just  so  sure  as  you  sit  down 
on  the  ground,  you  are  gone." 

"  I  would  not  do  that,"  said  the  youth,  "  but  I  expected  to  main- 
tain a  standing  position ;  by  the  way,"  added  Dick,  "  are  we  likely  to 
obtain  any  antelopes  like  those  which  furnished  us  such  good  food  in 
South  Africa?" 

"  Hardly;  though  India  has  its  supply  of  the  beautiful  creatures. 
For  instance,  there  is  the  goral  of  the  Western  Himalayas;  the  steppe 
antelope,  from  beyond,  with  its  queer  bulging  forehead;  the  nylghau, 
belonging  to  the  thickly  wooded  districts  of  India;  Falconer's  goat, 
living  in  the  highest  portions  of  the  Thibetan  Himalayas;  the  panda 


384 


ATTACKED    IN    FRONT    AND    REAR. 


of  the  Himalayas,  hunted  for  its  pelt  and  flesh,  though  the  latter  has  a  strong 
musky  odor,  and  a  species  of  goat  antelope  which  is  a  sacred  animal  among  the 
Hindoos." 

"What  about  the  maned  sheep?" 

"  He  is  a  strange-looking  animal,  indeed,  but  his  home  is  in  the  Atlas  Mountains 
and  about  the  headwaters  of  the  Nile.  He  is  known  as  the  aoudad.  However,  if 
you  want  to  keep  faithful  ward  and  watch,  while  we  sleep,  follow  my  advice  and 
maintain  a  regular  pacing  to  and  fro." 


THE  GORAL. 

This  was  good  sense,  and  Dick  was  wise  enough  to  follow  it,  but,  so  long  as  his 
friend  remained  awake,  he  took  his  place  near  him,  the  two  talking  in  low  tones, 
their  conversation  hardly  worth  the  recording. 

Finally  Dick  asked  a  question  and  received  no  answer.  Looking  at  Mr.  Godkin, 
he  saw  he  was  asleep.  The  director's  hookah  had  fallen  from  his  mouth,  his  hat 
had  dropped  to  the  ground,  and  his  head  had  drooped  over  on  his  shoulder,  while 
his  heavy  breathing  showed  that  he  was  unconscious. 

"  He  was  too  generous  to  awaken  me  at  twelve  o'clock,  as  he  ought  to  have 
done,"  thought  Dick.  "  I  can  see  how  he  is  trying  to  conduct  this  whole  business, 
so  as  to  give  me  most  of  the  glory  that  ought  to  belong  to  him.  Well,  now  I  have 


ATTACKED  IN  FRONT  AND  REAR.  385 

the  safety  of  this  whole  company  in  my  hands,  and  it  won't  do  to  shut  my  eyes 
again.  No  fear  of  it,  for  I  never  felt  more  wide-awake  in  my  life." 

The  natives  looked  like  so  many  logs  lying  near  the  fire,  their  swarthy  faces 
glistening  as  though  they  were  oiled ;  but  they  were  accustomed  to  heat  and  felt 
no  discomfort  in  a  temperature  which  a  white  man  would  have  found  intolerable. 

The  ponies  were  tethered  just  beyond  them,  the  two  having  lain  down,  so  that 
they  were  also  unconscious,  though  they  were  likely  to  be  the  first  to  awaken  on 
the  approach  of  danger. 


PRONGHORN  ANTELOPE. 

"  I  don't  believe  I  would  run  the  least  risk  in  leaning  against  the  tree  here," 
reflected  Dick,  "  but  I  will  do  as  Mr.  Godkin  advised." 

The  firelight  showed  a  path  some  twenty  paces  in  length  made  by  the  gentle- 
man in  walking  back  and  forth,  pausing  only  at  long  intervals  to  fling  wood  on  the 
flames. 

"  If  this  fire  were  burning  on  the  bank  of  the  Ganges,  or  some  other  stream,  it 
would  bring  thousands  of  fish  close  to  the  shore,  and  I  am  quite  sure  Mr.  Godkin 
was  right  in  saying  that  wild  animals  are  prowling  near  us." 

The  scene  was  weird  and  impressive. 


386 


ATTACKED  IN  FRONT  AND  REAR. 


The  brightly-burning  fire,  the  tall,  column-like  trees,  with  the  dense  vegetation 
below,  the  running  vines,  resembling  long  serpents,  winding  in  and  out  among  the 
limbs ;  the  unconscious  figures  stretched  near  the  fire,  the  two  horses  close  by,  the 
strange,  shrill  cries  that  now  and  then  trembled  from  the  depths  of  the  jungle,  the 
myriads  of  insects  fluttering  in  the  smoke  over  the  flames,  and  occasionally  a  soft 
rustling  of  the  leaves  and  undergrowth,  which  showed  that  some  beast  was  moving 
stealthily  about  the  camp  and  seeking  an  opening  through  which  to  leap  upon  the 


THE  NYLGHAU. 

unconscious  ones  —  all  these  helped  to  make  up  a  picture  which,  once  seen,  could 
never  be  forgotten. 

Dick  paced  back  and  forth  with  the  monotonous  regularity  of  a  military  sentinel 
on  duty,  until  he  observed  that  the  fire  was  beginning  to  subside.  Then  he  leaned 
his  rifle  against  the  tree  that  supported  the  back  of  the  sleeping  Mr.  Godkin,  and, 
taking  up  several  armfuls  from  the  pile  of  branches,  threw  them  on  the  burning 
sticks.  Withdrawing  a  few  paces,  he  watched  the  crackling  flames,  which  blazed 
up  so  high  that  the  area  of  illumination  was  doubled.  It  struck  him,  while  viewing 
the  fire,  that  there  was  a  singular  agitation  in  the  upper  part,  among  the  last  sticks 


ATTACKED  IN  FRONT  AND  REAR.  387 

that  he  had  flung  upon  it.  One  of  the  branches  appeared  to  be  twisting  fiercely, 
but  only  for  a  second  or  two,  when  it  shriveled  into  nothingness,  losing  its  indi- 
viduality in  a  twinkling. 

"  I  never  suspected  that,"  said  Dick  to  himself,  as  he  recognized  in  the  strange- 
looking  stick  a  serpent  that  had  lain  among  the  last  pieces  of  wood  he  had  tossed 


on  the  flames,  "but  there  is  no  telling  when  you  run  against  those  creatures  in  this 
part  of  the  world." 

The  snake,  which  was  no  more  than  a  couple  of  feet  in  length,  could  not  have 
been  in  the  pile  of  wood  when  the  natives  gathered  the  fuel,  since  it  would  have 
made  its  presence  known;  but  it  had  probably  crawled  there  to  enjoy  the  heat  of  the 
camp-fire,  just  as  the  cobra  some  nights  before  had  sought  the  warmth  of  Dick's  body. 


388 


ATTACKED    IN     FRONT    AND    REAR. 


"  It's  a  wonder  he  didn't  bite  me  when  I  picked  up  the  wood,  but  he  is  out  of  the 
calculation  now" 

Looking  straight  across  the  camp-fire,  and  through  the  thin  smoke,  the  lad 
caught  a  momentary  gleam  of  something  which  vanished  before  he  could  gain  more 
than  a  glimpse  of  it. 

But  he  was  shrewd  enough  to  read  its  meaning  aright.  The  glare  was  that  of 
two  circular  objects,  seemingly  a  couple  of  inches  in  diameter  and  separated  from 
each  other  by  about  three  times  of  space. 

Such  an  exhibition  could  have  been  made  only  by  the  glowing  eye-balls  of  some 
wild  animal  that  had  whisked  out  of  sight  before  the  youth  could  see  anything 
more. 


THE  PANDA. 

"  I  thought  it  was  about  time  for  something  like  that,  and  likely  enough  there 
are  more  of  them." 

Sure  enough,  the  thought  was  hardly  formed,  when  not  only  the  same  sight  pre- 
sented itself,  but  a  similar  one  was  observed  a  short  distance  to  the  right.  Further- 
more, several  well  denned  growls  struck  Dick's  ear. 

The  second  pair  of  optics  that  appeared  were  quite  near  one  of  the  horses,  for 
whom  the  youth  was  more  apprehensive  than  for  any  one  of  the  company. 

The  latter  were  so  near  the  fire  that  it  was  not  to  be  believed  that  the  most 
daring  wild  beast  would  molest  them;  but  the  animals  of  necessity  were  tethered 
a  little  farther  off,  though  it  was  believed  that  they  were  also  close  enough  to  share 
in  the  protection  thus  afforded  the  rest. 

Neither  of  the  ponies  had  awakened,   but  they  were  likely  to   do  so  at  any 


IN  AMBUSH 


389 


390 


ATTACKED    IN    FRONT    AND    REAR- 


moment.  With  a  view  of  guarding  them,  Dick  now  left  his  beat  and  walked 
around  the  fire,  stepping  very  lightly,  so  as  not  to  disturb  them. 

At  the  first  step,  the  wild  animals  vanished,  as  suddenly  as  if  each  had  taken  a 
backward  leap  of  twenty  feet. 

"  They'll  show  themselves  again,"  said  Dick  to  himself,  "  and  then  I'll  take  a 
whack  at  one  of  them." 

He  had  not  long  to  wait,  when  the  phosphorescent  eye-balls  were  seen  once 
more.  This  time  they  remained  fixed  so  steadily  upon  the  youth  that  he  could  not 


THE  AOUDAD. 

have  asked  for  a  better  target,  since  the  illumination  on  his  gun  was  all  that  he 
needed. 

"  I  wonder  where  the  other  one  is." 

Strange  that  the  bright  lad  did  not  think  of  the  probability  of  the  second  wild 
beast  being  behind  him  instead  of  in  front ! 

Yet  such  was  the  fact,  and,  the  moment  he  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoulder  and 
sighted  at  the  first  beast,  the  other  was  creeping  noiselessly  and  swiftly  upon  him 
from  the  rear. 


CHAPTER  LXXI. 

JUMBO  AND  TOUNG  TALOUNG. 

S  I  said,  Dick  could  not  have  asked  for  a  better  target  than  was  given  by  the 
glimpse  of  the  glaring  eye-balls  on  the  other  side  of  the  camp-fire,  for  the 
organs  themselves  were  not  only  in  sight,  but  he  plainly  saw  the  outlines  of 
the  wild  beast,  which  he  suspected  was  a  cheetah  or  hunting  leopard,  an  animal 
rarely  found  out  of  India. 

This  brute  is  not  so  large  nor  fine-looking  as  the  leopard,  and  its  name  is  due  to 
the  fact  that  it  can  be  tamed  and  trained  to  assist  the  hunter  in  bringing  down  deer. 
It  is  lighter  than  the  panther  and  lives  much  in  the  lower  branches  of  large  trees, 
where  the  female  brings  forth  its  young.  In  its  wild  state  it  is  stealthy  and  treach- 
erous like  all  of  its  kind. 

At  the  very  moment  Dick  pulled  the  trigger,  the  stillness  around  him  was  such 
that  he  caught  the  faint  rustle  made  by  the  second  animal  stealing  upon  him  from 
the  rear. 

The  bullet  had  hardly  left  the  barrel,  when  the  lad  whirled  about  like  a  flash  and 
confronted  the  danger  behind  him. 

He  was  not  an  instant  too  soon. 

The  second  cheetah,  which  was  much  larger  than  the  first,  was  no  more  than  a 
dozen  feet  distant,  crouching  low  and  gathering  himself  for  his  deadly  spring. 

Since  Dick's  gun  was  discharged,  it  will  be  seen  that  his  situation  was  extremely 
dangerous,  inasmuch  as  the  animal  was  quite  sure  to  attack  before  he  could  reload 
his  weapon. 

But  Mr.  Godkin's  long  experience  had  taught  him  not  only  to  awaken  from  a 
sound  slumber  with  all  his  senses  at  command,  but  to  know  that  when  thus 
awakened  by  the  report  of  a  gun,  his  services  were  almost  certain  to  be  in  im- 
mediate need.  • 

Before  the  other  members  of  the  party  were  fairly  aroused,  and  before  the 
youth's  situation  had  become  hopelessly  desperate,  the  director's  weapon  was  fired, 
and  the  second  cheetah  perished  almost  as  quickly  as  the  first. 

Meanwhile,  the  reports  of  the  rifles  had  brought  the  others  to  their  feet.  The 
horses  had  been  aroused,  too,  but  they  merely  opened  their  eyes  without  rising. 

A  few  seconds  were  enough  to  understand  what  had  taken  place,  the  dead 
bodies  of  the  cheetahs  near  the  camp-fire  bearing  witness  to  the  accuracy  of  the 
aim  of  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin. 

"  I  believe  they  have  been  hanging  around  the  camp  ever  since  the  fire  was 
kindled,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "  and  since  there  may  be  more  of  them,  I  will  bear  you 
company  until  daylight,  which  is  not  far  off." 

391 


392 


JUMBO  AND  TOUNG  TALOUNG. 


Dick  protested  that  this  was  unnecessary,  for  he  was  abundantly  able  to  take 
care  of  himself ;  but  his  friend  insisted  that  he  had  had  enough  slumber  to  last 
him  twenty-four  hours,  so  he  re-filled  and  lit  his  hookah,  while  the  natives,  seeing 
their  services  were  not  wanted,  lay  down  again,  and  were  soon  unconscious. 

With  two  intelligent  sentinels  on  duty,  it  would  have  been  strange  if  the  party 
had  not  been  safe.  The  fire  was  kept  up,  and  while  Dick  resumed  his  pacing 
back  and  forth,  he  maintained  a  pleasant  conversation  with  his  friend,  who  puffed 
away  at  his  pipe  and  entertained  him  with  stories  of  his  experiences,  not  only  in 


SACRED  OR  INDIAN  ANTELOPE. 

India,  but  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  while  engaged  in  my  service.  Dick  expected 
that  his  friend  would  drop  off  into  sleep  again,  but  he  did  not,  and  remained  fully 
awake  during  the  remaining  hours  of  darkness. 

The  rustling  among  the  leaves  which  they  heard  now  and  then  proved  that 
other  wild  animals  were  prowling  near,  and  doubtless  looking  for  a  chance  to  get 
at  the  men  or  horses,  but  the  glare  of  the  fire,  and  perhaps  a  suspicion  of  what  the 
reports  of  the  rifles  had  to  do  with  the  inanimate  forms  lying  near,  kept  them  from 
venturing  too  close. 


JUMtfO    AND    TOUNG    TALOUNG, 


393 


"  Those  creatures  are  more  often  found  in  the  groves  and  large  forests  than  in 
the  jungles,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  "  and  I  hardly  expected  when  the  report  of  your  gun 
awakened  me  that  it  was  a  cheetah  you  had  shot." 

"  I  tell  you,  Mr.  Godkin,  a  fellow  has  got  to  keep  his  wits  about  him  in  this  part 
of  the  world." 
fr~ 


ELK. 


"  It  does  look  that  way ;  and,  in  fact,  I  don't  know  any  part  of  this  sphere 
where  it  is  safe  to  do  otherwise." 

"  This  is  a  good  enough  country  to  hunt  and  spend  a  few  months  in,  but  after 
I  have  gathered  all  the  curiosities  I  can  —  with  your  help,  of  course — I  shall  be 
glad  to  get  back  to  the  United  States,  the  most  blessed  and  glorious  place  in  the 
wide  world." 


394 


JUMBO  AND  TOUNG  TALOUNG. 


You  may  be  sure  that  the  hunters  would  not  remain  idle  long.  The  morning 
meal  was  hardly  finished  when  the  sharp-eared  Jack,  who  had  applied  his  ear  to  the 
ground,  said  that  he  heard  the  sounds  made  by  some  heavy  animals  moving  at  no 
great  distance,  and  a  few  minutes  later  he  declared  they  were  elephar'j. 

"  We  may  as  well  have  a  look  at  them,"  added  Mr.  Godkin.  "  This  is  your  firit 
hunting  jaunt  in  India,  Dick,  and  you  can't  afford  to  lose  anything." 

The  servants  were  told  to  remain  where  they  were,  and  since  that  suited  them, 
they  stretched  out  on  the  ground,  ready  for  any  duty  their  masters  might  require. 


FALLOW  DEER. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  shoot  an  elephant  ?  "  asked  Dick,  as  the  two  began  picking 
their  way  through  the  jungle. 

"  That  depends  upon  circumstances ;  since  you  will  be  able  to  tell  about  the 
Bengal  tiger  you  brought  down,  the  addition  of  an  elephant  or  two  to  your  game 
bag  will  be  a  small  matter." 

"  If  they  are  of  the  usual  size,  I  suspect  it  will  be  a  rather  large  matter,"  wai 
the  reply  of  the  youth,  who  kept  close  to  the  heels  of  his  companion. 


396  JUMBO    AND    TOUNG    TALOUNG. 

The  noise  made  by  the  passage  of  a  herd  of  elephants  was  now  plainly  audible, 
so  there  was  no  difficulty  in  following  the  right  course. 

The  couple  had  penetrated  less  than  a  hundred  yards,  when  they  caught  sight 
of  the  rear  of  the  drove,  swinging  through  the  dense  jungle  as  though  it  could  offer 
no  impediment  to  their  progress. 

There  were  seven,  proceeding  in  irregular  order,  crashing  through  the  under- 
growth, tearing  off  the  branches  above  their  heads,  occasionally  trumpeting  and 
evidently  disposed  to  have  considerable  sport  with  each  other. 

Though  these  huge  beasts,  when  their  suspicions  are  aroused,  are  wonderfully 
quick  of  ear  and  eye,  they  showed  no  knowledge  of  their  enemies,  so  near  at  hand. 
The  latter  kept  at  a  respectful  distance,  for  they  did  not  wish  to  alarm  them.  Had 
they  done  so,  more  than  likely  the  whole  herd  would  have  broken  away,  and,  trav- 
eling rapidly,  would  pass  out  of  sight  of  the  hunters,  and  keep  it  up  for  eight  or  ten 
miles  —  much  too  far  for  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  to  follow. 

"  They  are  going  to  the  water,"  said  the  gentleman,  who  prevented  the  youth 
from  walking  too  fast ;  "  there  is  a  pool  or  stream  not  far  off." 

"  If  we  were  no  more  particular  than  they,  we  might  enjoy  a  bath  also,"  replied 
Dick,  greatly  interested  in  the  sight. 

The  seven  animals  were  of  great  size,  one  of  them,  as  Mr.  Godkin  afterward 
informed  me,  being  fully  ten  feet  high. 

THE  STORY  OF  ONE  ELEPHANT. 

There  isn't  a  boy  or  girl  in  England  or  America  who  has  not  seen  or  read  about 
Jumbo,  the  largest  elephant  ever  known.  You  have  learned  of  his  affecting  death 
by  a  railway  accident,  and  perhaps  have  seen  his  mounted  skeleton,  now  in  a  mu- 
seum. He  was  mounted  by  Professor  Henry  A.  Ward,  of  Rochester,  New  York, 
who  made  careful  measurements,  which  he  reported  to  me,  as  follows,  which  I 
believe  are  now  published  for  the  first  time: 

Circumference  (6  inches  back  of  the  eye),  10  feet  4  inches. 

Largest  diameter  of  the  ear,  5  feet  5  inches.     (Jumbo  was  an  African  elephant) 

Circumference  of  tusk  at  the  base,  i  foot  6  inches. 

Circumference  of  trunk  at  base,  3  feet  5  inches. 

Length  of  trunk  from  base  of  tusk,  5  feet  1 1  inches. 

Body  circumference,  just  back  of  shoulders,  16  feet  4  inches. 

Body  circumference  at  middle,  18  feet. 

Body  circumference  at  point  in  front  of  hind  legs,  17  feet. 

Length  of  tail,  4  feet  6  inches. 

Fore  legs:  circumference  of  foot,  5  feet  3  inches. 

Circumference  of  leg  (3  feet  above  sole  of  foot),  3  feet  10  inches. 

Hind  legs  :  circumference  of  foot,  4  feet. 

Circumference  of  leg  (2  feet  above  sole  of  foot),  3  feet. 

Circumference  of  leg  (4  feet  above  sole  of  foot),  4  feet  8  inches. 


JUMBO    AND    TOUNG    TALOUNG.  397 

Height,  measuring  fiom  sole  of  foot  to  a  point  between  shoulder-blades,  about 
12  feet. 

Entire  length  of  animal,  14  feet. 

The  heart  weighed  46  pounds. 

When  alive  Jumbo  weighed  7  tons,  and  the  weight  of  the  mounted  skeleton  is 
about  3  tons. 

Since  Jumbo  was  the  most  wonderful  elephant  that  ever  lived,  I  may  as  well 
give  you  all  that  is  known  about  him. 

He  was  twenty-three  years  old  when  he  died,  and  as  elephants  cease  growing 
only  when  they  attain  the  age  of  thirty,  we  began  to  have  great  fears  as  to  how  we 
should  get  him  through  the  numerous  railroad  tunnels  of  the  country.  He  was 
within  five  or  six  inches  of  the  height  of  an  ordinary  railroad  tunnel  when  he  died. 

Originally,  Jumbo  was  a  small  African  elephant.  He  was  brought  across  the 
deserts  by  Arabs,  and  was  fed  on  camel's  milk.  He  was  consigned  to  the  Jardin 
des  Plantes,  in  Paris,  and  when  he  arrived  there  he  was  a  funny  little  animal  that 
attracted  no  particular  notice.  In  an  exchange  of  some  animals  with  the  Zoological 
Garden  in  London,  the  managers  of  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  sent  this  little  elephant 
among  the  rest,  not  considering  him  of  much  account. 

After  he  had  been  for  a  few  months  at  the  Zoological  Garden,  he  and  his 
keeper,  Mr.  Scott,  were  one  day  photographed,  and  in  the  picture  it  is  shown  that 
the  keeper  stood  a  breast  higher  than  Jumbo.  All  at  once,  however,  a  sudden 
spurt  of  growing  came  over  him,  just  as  ordinary-sized  boys  in  a  family  suddenly 
grow  up  into  giants ;  and  Jumbo  grew,  and  grew,  and  grew,  until  he  got  to  be 
twelve  feet  high,  fourteen  feet  long,  eighteen  feet  around  the  middle  of  his  body, 
and  reached  the  very  respectable  aldermanic-elephantine  weight  of  seven  tons. 

Mr.  Barnum  says  of  him  :  I  had  often  seen  the  famous  big  elephant,  and  had 
ridden  on  him,  but  it  never  entered  my  head  that  I  could  buy  him.  I  eventually 
told  my  agent  to  approach  Mr.  Bartlett,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Gardens,  on  the 
subject.  He  conferred  with  the  Council  of  the  Gardens,  and  they  accepted  my  offer 
of  $10,000  for  the  animal. 

In  view  of  the  results  of  this  enterprise,  it  seems  a  little  singular,  but  the.  fact  is, 
my  partner,  Mr.  Hutchinson,  was  strongly  opposed  to  buying  Jumbo. 

"  What  is  the  difference,"  he  would  say,  "  between  an  elephant  seven  feet  high 
and  another  eleven  or  twelve  feet  high?  —  an  elephant  is  an  elephant." 

I  insisted  that  this  was  the  greatest  beast  in  the  world,  and  urged  that,  being 
such,  Barnum's  Circus  couldn't  afford  to  be  without  him.  Finally  the  objections 
of  my  partner  were  overruled  and  we  sent  over  the  money  to  pay  for  Jumbo. 

When  the  English  people  got  information  that  Jumbo  was  to  be  taken  out  of 
the  country,  they  were  fairly  wild  with  excitement.  Many  newspapers  looked  upon 
it  as  an  outrage,  and  blamed  the  Superintendent  of  the  Gardens,  the  Council,  and 
every  one  who  had  had  anything  to  do  with  the  affair.  The  great  art  critic  John 
Ruskin  took  part  in  the  discussion,  and  said  that  England  was  not  accustomed  to 
sell  her  pets. 


398 


JUMBO  AND  TOUNG  TALOUNG. 


There  was  so  much  dissatisfaction  expressed,  that  the  Zoological  Garden  people 
tried  to  induce  my  agent  to  rescind  the  sale,  but  I  told  them  I  could  not ;  I  had 
announced  the  purchase  of  the  elephant  and  I  could  not  afford  to  disappoint  the 
American  people. 


TOUNG  TALOUNG,  MY  FAMOUS  WHITE  ELEPHANT. 

The  stockholders  of  the  Zoological  Garden  held  a  meeting.  Ti  ey  insisted 
that  the  Council  had  no  right  to  sell  without  their  consent,  and  got  out  an  injunction 
on  us,  which,  by  some  legal  hocus-pocus  which  it  would  require  too  much  space 
here  to  explain,  came  up  in  the  Court  of  Chancery. 


JUMBO    AND   TOUNG   TALOUNG.  399 

The  editor  of  the  London  Telegraph,  Mr.  Lesarge,  sent  me  a  telegram  in  which 
he  stated  that  all  the  British  children  were  distressed  at  the  elephant's  departure  : 
on  what  terms  would  I  return  Jumbo?  "Answer,  prepaid,  unlimited." 

When  I  read  the  last  three  words  of  this  dispatch,  I  am  afraid  that  the  spirit  of 
practical  joking  took  possession  of  me  for  the  moment.  I  took  the  Englishman  at 
his  word  and  answered  "  unlimited."  I  told  him  that  a  hundred  thousand  pounds 
would  not  induce  me  to  cancel  my  purchase,  and  then  I  gave  him  a  pretty  full 
description  of  my  circus,  commencing,  "  My  largest  tent  seats  20,000  persons,"  etc., 
etc.,  and  ended  with  "  wishing  long  life  and  prosperity  to  the  British  nation,  the 
Telegraph  and  Jumbo."  This  dispatch  was  published  in  the  Telegraph  the  next 
morning,  and  was  republished  on  the  following  day  in  the  principal  newspapers 
throughout  Great  Britain.  It  did  its  part  in  keeping  up  the  excitement. 

Jumbo  had  never  been  out  of  the  Garden  since  the  day  he  had  entered  it,  twenty 
years  before.  When  my  agents  attempted  to  get  him  out  he  would  not  stir;  he 
seemed  to  know  instinctively  that  something  extraordinary  was  going  to  happen. 
My  agent  cabled  me:  "Jumbo  is  lying  in  the  Garden  and  will  not  stir.  What 
shall  we  do  ?  "  I  replied  :  "  Let  him  lie  there  as  long  as  he  wants  to."  All  this, 
it  will  be  observed,  kept  up  public  interest. 

Then  we  built  a  cage  on  wheels,  and  sank  the  wheels  into  the  ground,  leaving 
both  ends  of  the  cage  open.  It  was  many  days  before  he  could  be  induced  to  walk 
through.  We  let  him  get  used  to  going  through  for  several  days  and  finally  shut 
him  in.  It  took  a  score  of  horses  to  pull  the  cage  out  of  the  earth,  after  we  had 
dug  around  the  wheels,  and  we  dragged  the  cage  down  to  the  wharf.  There 
Jumbo  met  a  whole  crowd  of  his  admirers,  including  such  fashionable  people  as 
Lady  Burdett-Coutts,  who  brought  him  cakes  and  dainties.  One  enthusiast  testi- 
fied his  affection  by  sending  some  champagne  and  oysters.  On  the  vessel  we  had  to 
cut  away  a  part  of  the  deck  above  his  lodgings  to  make  his  apartment  large  enough. 

The  original  price  of  Jumbo  was  $10,000;  his  final  cost  was  $30,000.  He  paid 
for  himself  the  first  ten  days  after  his  arrival. 

Toung  Taloung,  the  famous  white  elephant,  which  I  brought  from  Burmah, 
cost  me  $200,000.  Like  the  public,  I  was  greatly  disappointed  in  him.  He  was  as 
genuine  a  white  elephant  as  ever  existed,  but,  in  fact,  there  was  never  such  an  ani- 
mal known.  The  white  spots  are  simply  diseased  blotches. 

To  resume  our  story  : 

Among  the  elephants  on  which  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  Brownell  were  gazing  was 
a  mother  with  a  young  one,  of  which  all  seemed  extremely  fond.  This  was  shown 
conclusively  at  the  time  the  herd  was  crossing  an  open  space  some  distance  from 
where  they  had  entered  the  jungle. 

Without  the  least  warning  a  large  tiger  dashed  out  from  cover  and  made  for  the 
little  one,  which  just  then  was  standing  with  its  head  in  the  other  direction,  caress- 
ing its  mother.  The  female  saw  the  tiger,  but  showed  no  excitement,  knowing  she 
had  brave  friends  around  her. 


400 


JUMBO  AND  TOUNG  TALOUNG. 


Before  the  tiger  could  get  anywhere  near  the  young  one,  the  bull  interposed  his 
prodigious  form,  and,  rearing  on  his  hind  legs,  aimed  a  blow  at  the  assailant  with 
his  tusks  and  fore  feet  which  required  all  of  the  animal's  dexterity  to  avoid.  By 
this  time  the  rest  of  the  herd  had  taken  the  alarm,  and  the  tiger  was  wise  enough 
to  give  up  his  intention  of  making  a  meal  from  a  young  elephant. 


A  BATTLE  IN  THE  JUNGLE. 


401 


CHAPTER  LXXII. 

AN    INTERLOPER. 

Mr.  Godkin  pronounced  the  bull  elephant  only  two  feet  less  in  height 
than  Jumbo  you  may  be  sure  that  the  animal  was  a  remarkable  one. 
The  first  thought  of  the  excellent  gentleman  was  that  of  the  value  of  such 
a  prize  to  me. 

The  suspicion  that  the  herd  were  on  their  way  to  water  was  confirmed,  for  it 
reached  a  pool  before  going  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

It  was  just  such  a  place  as  delights  those  animals,  being  about  an  acre  in  extent, 
fed  by  a  little  stream,  and  with  a  similar  outlet.  The  pond  was  shallow  at  the 
sides,  but  quite  deep  in  the  middle. 

The  bulky  beasts  waded  slowly  in,  brandishing  their  trunks  over  their  heads 
and  trumpeting  with  pleasure,  for  the  contact  of  the  comparatively  cool  water  must 
have  been  delightful.  Indeed,  Dick  envied  them,  and  felt  as  though,  had  he  known 
of  the  pool  so  near,  he  would  have  been  tempted  to  take  a  plunge  himself. 

He  had  noticed  on  his  way  thither  that  a  couple  of  the  beasts  followed  a  well- 
marked  path,  the  rest  crashing  through  the  jungle  on  both  sides  of  it.  This  showed 
that  other  animals  were  in  the  habit  of  visiting  the  place,  as  the  hunters  would  have 
known  had  they  come  upon  the  trail  anywhere  in  the  jungle. 

The  bull,  who  took  the  post  of  honor  at  the  head  of  his  family,  walked  slowly 
out  into  the  pond,  his  enormous  body  gradually  sinking  lower,  like  the  submerging 
of  some  wreck,  until  he  was  half  covered.  Then  he  paused  and  swung  his  head 
around  to  see  how  the  rest  were  making  out. 

Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  had  taken  positions  where  they  could  watch  everything 
without  exposing  themselves  to  detection. 

The  six  members  of  his  family  were  not  holding  back,  but  pushed  into  the  water 
with  more  eagerness  than  the  old  bull  had  shown.  As  if  he  desired  to  impress 
more  becoming  dignity  upon  them,  he  filled  his  trunk  with  water,  and,  aiming  at 
the  front  of  the  nearest  elephant,  let  fly. 

The  aim  was  accurate,  and  the  brute  was  in  the  condition  of  an  innocent  spec- 
tator at  a  fire,  who  has  the  hose  suddenly  turned  in  his  face.  The  water  struck  his 
massive  forehead  with  a  splash  and  force  that  sent  the  spray  flying  in  every  direction. 

But  he  liked  it  and  had  his  own  remedy.  Drawing  in  several  gallons  of  the 
fluid,  he  dispatched  it  in  the  direction  of  their  lord  and  master,  hitting  him  squarely 
in  the  eyes  and  compelling  him  to  scatter  his  own  supply  of  moisture  impartially 
over  the  pool.  The  fun  became  fast  and  furious.  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin,  in  their 
hiding-place,  laughed  like  a  couple  of  school-boys  at  the  sight  of  what  suggested  to 
them  the  antics  of  the  same  number  of  American  lads  just  let  out  for  play. 

402 


AN    INTERLOPER. 


4°3 


In  a  trice  all  the  elephants  were  sending  the  water  over 
each  other,  the  hose-like  streams  going  up  in  the  air,  out 
among  the  vegetation  and  against  the  flabby  sides  of  the 
monsters,  with  a  promiscuousness  and  vigor  that  could  not 

have  been  improved.  Once  a  poorly-aimed  hydraulic  bomb,  which  the  bull  dis- 
patched at  the  head  of  a  lady  near  the  side  of  the  pool,  missed  its  mark,  and  went 
so  far  over  into  the  jungle  that  it  came  near  finding  the  two  spectators. 

"  My  gracious  !  "  whispered  Dick,  who  plainly  felt  the  mist,  "  wouldn't  they  give 
us  a  ducking  if  they  knew  we  were  here  !  " 

"  They  might  do  more  than  that,"  replied  Mr.  Godkin,  "  for  those  elephants  are 
wild,  and  have  intelligence  enough  to  understand  that  all  bipeds  are  their  enemies. 
Take  care  that  they  do  not  get  sight  of  you." 

The  huge  beasts  now  began  to  vary  the  fun,  showing  an  ingenuity  that  was  as 
surprising  as  it  was  amusing  to  the  small  but  select  body  of  spectators. 

Near  one  end  of  the  pond  stood  the  most  diminutive  member  of  the  party.  She 
was  in  just  far  enough  to  cover  her  legs,  her  entire  body  being  above  the  surface. 
Standing  thus,  she  filled  her  trunk  and  sent  the  water  and  spray  flying  far  out 
among  the  rest.  The  distance  was  twenty  feet  or  more,  and  the  curving  stream 


404 


AN    INTERLOPER. 


went  not  only  high  in  the  air,  but  spread  out  more  like  a  fan  the  farther  it  reached, 
eften  falling  in  spray  and  mist. 

She  aimed  at  no  particular  one,  but  was  impartial  in  her  attentions,  dispatching 
the  deluge  wherever  the  best  target  offered.  The  others  seemed  to  pay  no  atten- 
tion to  her,  but,  before  long,  the  watchful  Mr.  Godkin  directed  Dick's  notice  to  the 
action  of  the  bull  and  two  of  his  family. 

"There's  mischief  afoot,"  he  whispered;  "they  are  hatching  a  plot  against  that 
lady  who  is  having  such  fine  sport  on  the  edge  of  the  pond." 

The  bull  was  gradually  working  his  way  out  of  the  water,  as  though  he  had 
had  enough  of  it.  He  did  not  seem  to  observe  the  presence  of  the  one  that  was 
dousing  him,  but,  all  the  same,  he  emerged  from  the  pool  at  a  point  quite  close  to 
her. 

The  female  gave  him  a  blast  at  the  moment  he  swung  from  the  pond,  sending  a 
deluge  straight  in  his  face,  like  the  stream  with  which  a  steam  fire  engine  breaks  in 
the  windows  of  a  burning  building.  Indeed,  it  was  so  terrific  that  the  old  fellow 
threw  up  his  trunk  and  head  as  if  to  protest. 

Two  others  kept  edging  closer  to  this  female,  but  managed  it  so  deftly  that  she 
did  not  suspect  anything  was  on  foot.  In  fact,  she  was  so  happy  that  Dick  after- 
ward declared  he  saw  the  corners  of  her  mouth  draw  up,  just  as  if  she  was  indulg- 
ing in  a  grin  over  the  discomfiture  of  the  head  of  the  household. 

But  really  my  young  friend  must  have  been  mistaken,  though  there  can  be  no 
question  that  those  huge  animals  find  the  keenest  enjoyment  in  such  sport. 

Suddenly,  and  without  the  least  warning,  the  bull  made  a  plunge  along  the  edge 
of  the  pool,  which  placed  him  in  the  rear  of  the  young  lady  that  was  having  such  a 
good  time.  At  the  same  moment,  the  two  that  had  been  cautiously  edging  along 
made  a  dash  for  her. 

She  saw  what  was  coming  and  tried  to  get  away;  but  it  was  too  late.  In  short, 
she  was  between  two  fires,  and  escape  was  out  of  the  question. 

She  had  time  to  take  only  a  couple  of  steps  in  the  direction  of  the  shore,  when 
the  bull  placed  his  head  against  her  side  and  gave  her  such  a  prodigious  push  that 
she  went  over,  like  a  house  tumbling  off  the  wharf.  Instantly  the  other  two  began 
pelting  her  with  water  until  it  looked  as  if  she  must  be  drowned.  She  floundered 
and  struggled,  while  the  bull,  allowing  her  to  get  half  way  to  her  feet,  regularly 
pressed  her  over  again. 

This  seemed  to  be  the  very  acme  of  enjoyment  for  all  the  elephants  except  the 
victim,  and  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  she  herself  found  a  certain  relish  in 
the  rough  bath  to  which  she  was  being  subjected. 

The  water  became  muddy  from  its  violent  stirring,  but  that  made  no  difference 
to  the  participants,  who  tramped  back  and  forth,  lay  down  in  it  until  only  the  tops 
of  their  heads  were  visible,  sent  it  spurting  everywhere  in  fountains,  and  reveled  in 
delight. 

From  where  the  hunters  carefully  screened  themselves  in  the  jungle  it  would 
have  been  the  easiest  matter  in  the  world  to  kill  one  or  two  of  the  animals,  but 


AN    INTERLOPER. 


4°5 


to  break  in  upon  such  a  scene  of  innocent  fun  with  the  crack 
would  have  been  inexcusable.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  say  that 
nor  Dick  felt  the  least  disposition  to  do  anything  of  the  kind. 

Our  friends  were  still  watching 
the  uncouth  gambols  of  the  huge 
creatures,  when  a  disturbance  among 
the  undergrowth  near  at  hand 
caused  them  to  look  around. 

To  their  astonishment,  they 
perceived    another   bull   ele- 
phant,  almost   as   large    as 
the  one  that  lorded  it  over 
the  herd  in  the  pool.     He 
was  moving  slowly,  and 
evidently  with  great 
care,  as  if  to  pre- 
vent the    others      ^ 
trom  discovering 
biia.     His  atteu-       £ 


of  the  heavy  rifles 
neither  Mr.  Godkin 

tion    was   fixed   so 

closely  upon  them 

that    he    failed    to 

notice  the  hunters 

crouching   not 

far  off. 


•'•-  ><fia*i 


AN  INTRUDER. 


The  action  of  the  animal  was  so 
peculiar  that  Dick  was  puzzled, 
though  his  friend  suspected  the 
truth. 

"  I  wonder  whether  he  is  the 
leader  of  another  herd,"  said  the 
lad,  in  a  low  voice. 

"No  ;  he  is  alone." 
«  But  what  does  he  mean  by  acting  that  way  ?  " 

"  Keep  still  and  watch  him  ;   I  will  explain   when  we  have  a  better  opportunity 
for  talking.     He  must  not  see  us." 


406 


AN    INTERLOPER. 


The  behavior  of  the  strange  elephant  was  for  all  the  world  like  a  prowling 
enemy  looking  for  a  chance  to  do  his  foes  some  evil. 

After  observing  the  sportive  beasts  for  a  few  minutes,  the  interloper  resumed 
his  advance,  though  with  less  care  than  before.  He  must  have  known  that  he 
would  soon  be  detected. 

Such  was  the  case.  All  at  once  the  elephants  ceased  their  pranks,  and  turned 
their  huge  heads  in  the  direction  of  the  new  arrival,  as  if  to  inquire  what  he  wanted. 
He  threw  up  his  trunk  and  emitted  his  own  peculiar  call,  probably  meaning  it  for 
a  friendly  salutation. 

But  if  such  was  its  purport,  it  was  received  in  anything  but  a  spirit  of  comity. 
With  one  accord,  the  herd,  headed  by  the  gigantic  bull,  charged  upon  the  stranger. 
There  could  be  no  mistaking  their  fury,  and  the  interloper  was  too  wise  to  stand  his 
ground. 

The  flight  and  pursuit  of  the  intruder  brought  the  whole  party  so  close  to  our 
friends  that  discovery  was  sure.  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  hugged  the  ground  as 
close  as  they  could,  but  the  charging  bull  saw  them,  and,  trumpeting  the  alarm, 
made  a  wide  detour,  followed  by  all  that  came  after  him. 

The  opportunity  for  a  shot  as  they  lumbered  past  was  excellent,  but  neither 
fired,  content  to  leave  the  animals  alone,  so  long  as  it  was  not  necessary  to  shoot 
in  self-defense. 

It  is  hardly  to  be  supposed  that  the  pursuers  overtook  the  fugitive,  judging 
from  the  exhibition  he  gave,  but  the  chase  quickly  carried  all  beyond  sight  of  our 
friends,  who  rose  to  their  feet  and  started  back  to  camp,  where  the  horses  and 
servants  had  been  left. 

"That  interloper,"  explained  Mr.  Godkin,  "is  what  is  known  as  a  'goondah,'  or 
'sawn,'  or  '  rogue  elephant.'  In  Ceylon  he  is  called  a  ' hora.'  " 

Dick's  inquiring  looks  showed  that  this  was  something  of  which  he  was  igno- 
rant, having  come  across  nothing  referring  to  such  a  ceature  in  all  his  reading  of 
natural  history. 

"  You  have  seen,"  continued  the  elder,  glad  to  give  such  a  bright  lad  informa- 
tion, "  that  the  elephants  generally  herd  together,  the  companies  sometimes  num- 
bering a  dozen  or  a  score,  though  they  are  more  generally  of  the  dimensions  of 
the  bathers.  It  now  and  then  happens  that  one  belonging  to  a  herd  becomes 
separated  from  the  rest  and  is  unable  to  find  them  again.  He  may  hunt  long  and 
patiently,  but  the  chances  are  against  his  success. 

"  If  that  proves  the  case,  he  becomes  an  outcast,  for  no  other  herd  will  surfer 
him  to  join  them.     He  may  attempt  it,  but  the  rest  reject  all  his  overtures  and 
drive  him  off.     If  he  insists  on  staying,  the  others  will  attack,  and  most  likely  kill 
him.     Henceforth,  he  is  a  '  goondah,'  or  '  rogue.'  " 
"  And  why  that  ?  " 

"  His  expatriation,  if  we  may  call  it  such,  makes  him  vicious.  He  seems  to 
conclude  that,  since  his  own  species  have  turned  against  him,  he  will  become  an 
Ishmaelite  and  make  a  general  nuisance  of  himself.  I  have  known  a  '  rogue  '  in 


AN    INTERLOPER.  407 

Ceylon  to  prowl  around  a  planter's  house  at  night,  tearing  down  his  fences  and 
killing  his  stock  out  of  pure  wantonness.  If  he  is  interfered  with,  he  becomes 
ugly  and  displays  considerable  bravery  in  attacking  hunters." 

"  Suppose  that  the  '  goondah '  had  seen  us  ?  "  « 

"  It  isn't  likely  he  would  have  disturbed  us,  for  his  whole  interest  lay  in  the  herd, 
to  which,  as  you  saw  for  yourself,  he  made  advances  looking  to  affiliation  ;  but  had 
he  come  upon  us  when  none  of  his  kind  was  in  sight,  there  would  have  been  trouble. " 

"  But  he  ought  to  receive  the  greater  share,  since  we  are  both  loaded  for 
elephant,"  replied  Dick. 

"  That  is  true,  but  there  is  no  guarding  against  accidents.  You  observed  in 
what  spirit  his  overtures  were  received  ?  " 

"  Elephants  seem  very  much  like  human  beings,"  was  the  truthful  observation 
of  my  young  friend  Dick  Brownell. 


CHAPTER  LXXIII. 

A     FLYING     SHOT     OR    TWO. 

'HE  hunters  picked  their  way  at  their  leisure  through  the  jungle.  Keeping 
to  the  path  which  they  had  struck  while  following  the  herd  of  elephants,  the 
walking  was  found  quite  easy  and  pleasant. 

You  need  not  be  told  that,  though  the  friends  were  conversing  with  the  careless- 
ness they  would  have  shown  had  they  been  grouped  in  one  of  the  native  huts,  they 
keep  their  eyes  and  ears  wide  open.  There  could  be  no  doubt  that  the  trail  was 
used  by  many  animals  in  going  to  and  from  the  pool  in  which  the  herd  of  elephants 
had  disported  themselves,  and  the  hunters,  therefore,  were  liable  to  encounter  some 
of  them. 

Mr.  Godkin  was  walking  a  few  paces  in  front  of  the  youth,  who  left  to  him  the 
principal  duty  of  looking  out  for  danger  in  that  direction,  while  he  occasionally 
cast  a  furtive  glance  over  his  own  shoulder  to  make  sure  that  no  enemy  stole  upon 
him  unawares. 

Sure  enough,  they  had  walked  but  a  short  distance  when  the  leader  suddenly 
halted  with  the  exclamation: 

"  Something  is  coming  !  " 

Both  sprang  aside  and  held  their  guns  ready  for  instant  use,  for  the  chances 
were  that  a  fight  impended.  The  next  moment,  however,  a  half-suppressed  excla- 
mation of  amazement  escaped  both,  as  they  recognized  an  enormous  wild  boar. 

He  was  not  trotting,  but  walking  along  the  trail  from  the  direction  of  the  plain, 
and  no  doubt  was  on  his  way  to  the  pool  of  water  beyond  our  friends.  Having 
made  a  good  dinner,  he  probably  wanted  a  drink,  after  which  he  would  take  a 
siesta,  as  many  animals  are  accustomed  to  do  in  that  warm  country. 

Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  were  standing  only  a  pace  or  two  from  the  path,  and  the 
boar  must  have  seen  them,  though  nothing  in  his  manner  betrayed  it,  since  he  did 
not  retreat  nor  change  his  pace. 

"  If  he  attacks,  we  will  each  give  him  a  shot,"  said  the  elder,  "  but,  since  we 
spared  the  elephants,  we  will  do  the  same  with  him,  provided  he  behaves  himself." 

"  I  am  willing,"  replied  Dick,  who  nevertheless  felt  some  misgiving,  as  he  re- 
called the  vigorous  style  in  which  the  animal  in  Africa  had  handled  Pongo  and  his 
pony.  I  am  confident  you  have  not  forgotten  the  stirring  experience  of  the  Bushman 
with  the  wild  boar  which  he  encountered  with  Mr.  Godkin  along  the  edge  of  the 
South  African  jungle.  Dick  had  seen  nothing  of  that  affray,  but  he  had  been  inter- 
ested in  the  account,  and  had  expressed  his  regrets  so  often  that  he  had  not  been  thus 
favored  that  the  director  promised  to  secure  him  a  taste  of  what  may  truly  be 
called  royal  sport. 

408 


A    FLYING    SHOT    OR    TWO.  409 

On  reaching  camp,  Jed,  who  had  meanwhile  returned  from  Lucknow,  told 
them  that  he  had  seen  the  same  boar,  as  he  believed,  eating  some  nuts  which 
grew  in  a  grove  of  trees  not  far  off,  and,  though  he  had  gone  to  the  pool  for  water, 
he  was  quite  sure  to  return  to  his  former  feeding-place. 

You  may  be  sure  Dick  was  eager  for  the  sport,  especially  as  he  was  well  aware 
not  only  of  the  amazing  strength  and  courage  of  the  animal,  but  of  the  chivalry 
that  he  often  displays  toward  a  fallen  enemy. 

Mr.  Godkin  was  inclined  at  first  to  arm  himself  and  companion  with  the  spears 
which  the  natives  used,  but  they  were  so  long  and  slender,  and  his  young  friend 
was  so  unaccustomed  to  handling  them,  that  he  decided  it  would  be  wiser  to  rely 
on  their  own  weapons. 

Furthermore,  he  thought  the  chances  about  even  of  seeing  the  brute  again. 
Those  creatures,  as  they  grow  older,  do  not  associate  with  herds  of  their  kind, 
but  are  fond  of  browsing  by  themselves.  If  Dick  should  be  fortunate  enough  to 
catch  sight  of  one,  his  intention  was  to  ride  as  closely  as  possible  and  take  a  shot  at 
him.  If  the  bullet  was  well  aimed,  he  might  bring  down  his  game,  though  he 
was  more  likely  to  fail  than  succeed. 

Leaving  the  natives  in  camp,  our  friends,  a  couple  of  hours  later,  rode  out  to 
the  edge  of  the  grassy  plain,  where  Mr.  Godkin  glanced  over  the  tract  with  the 
observing  eye  of  a  true  sportsman. 

"Yonder,"  said  he,  "is  the  clump  of  trees  that  Jed  told  us  about.  I  recognize 
them  as  bearing  the  fruit  to  which  the  boar  is  so  partial,  and  if  the  one  we  saw 
does  not  return,  we  may  catch  sight  of  another." 

"  If  I  am  not  mistaken,"  replied  Dick,  speaking  slowly  and  with  his  gaze  fixed 
on  the  clump  of  trees,  "  I  see  something  moving  in  the  grass  on  the  farther  side ; 
tell  me  what_>w/  make  of  it." 

"  It  is  the  boar,  as  you  live  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Godkin  ;  "  we're  in  luck  to-day." 

"  How  shall  we  proceed  ?  " 

"You  may  ride  toward  the  trees,  while  I  will  take  a  course  parallel  with  the 
trend  of  the  jungle." 

"What  is  the  reason  for  that  ?  " 

"  I  am  going  to  let  you  have  the  first  chance,  and  if  necessary,  I  will  give  you 
help  in  the  final  disposition  of  the  boar — provided,"  added  the  gentleman  with  a 
laugh,  "the  boar  doesn't  first  dispose  of  us." 

Dick  was  thankful  for  the  consideration  of  his  friend,  and  he  felt  no  misgiving 
about  any  mishap  befalling  him. 

It  seemed  to  him  that  if  he  drove  the  animal  from  beneath  the  trees,  he  would 
dart  into  the  jungle,  where  it  would  be  impossible  to  follow  him  on  horseback  or  on 
foot  with  any  prospect  of  overtaking  him. 

But  a  few  minutes  would  decide. 

The  youth  had  ridden  only  a  little  way  when  he  saw  that  the  boar  was  really 
under  the  trees,  poking  his  snout  over  the  ground,  among  the  grass,  in  quest  of  the 
nuts  he  liked  so  well. 


410 


A    FLYING    SHOT    OR    TWO. 


It  was  not  until  the  hunter  was  within  three  or  four  rods  that  the  animal  became 
aware  of  his  approach  and  raised  his  head. 

He  was  a  formidable  creature,  and  Dick  checked  his  pony  and  surveyed  him 
several  minutes  with  wonder,  not  unmixed  with  admiration.  Then  with  a  grunt 
the  brute  started  off  on  a  trot,  not  entering  the  jungle,  but  taking  a  course 
parallel  to  it. 

It  appeared  to  Dick,  as  he  rode  after  him,  that  the  boar  was  as  tall  as  a  cow, 
very  gaunt,  and  with  such  long  limbs  that  at  first  glance  he  half  suspected  he  was 
some  other  animal ;  but  watching  him,  as  he  leisurely  trotted  away,  he  noticed  his 
enormous  tusks,  curling  up  in  front  of  his  eyes,  and  he  was  convinced  he  was  pur- 
suing as  magnificent  a  specimen  of  the  wild  boar  as  could  be  found  in  all  India. 

The  brute  was  going  easily,  but  Dick  was  surprised  to  observe  that  his  pony, 
which  was  on  a  gallop,  was  not  gaining  upon  him.  He,  therefore,  pushed  him  to  a 
sharper  pace. 

Finally  the  young  hunter  thought  he  had  reached  about  the  right  distance,  and, 
bringing  his  gun  to  his  shoulder,  he  aimed  at  the  neck  of  the  boar  and  let  fly. 

Probably  he  hit  the  target,  though,  if  such  was  the  case,  the  brute  gave  no  evi- 
dence of  it,  but  continued  the  same  trot,  neither  faster  nor  slower.  Most  likely  the 
ball  had  struck  some  part  of  the  snout  or  head  and  glanced  off  without  causing  the 
recipient  any  inconvenience. 

"If  you  can  get  in  fifteen  or  twenty  more  shots  like  that !  "  shouted  Mr.  Godkin, 
who  was  having  his  own  fun,  "  you  will  make  him  take  some  notice  of  you." 

Dick  laughed  to  himself,  for  he  was  too  sensible  to  mind  the  badinage  of  his 
friend,  and  began  recharging  his  weapon,  which,  being  a  breech-loader,  did  not 
require  much  time  or  bother.  The  cartridge  was  quickly  in  place,  and  he  was  pre- 
pared for  another  shot. 

But,  during  the  brief  spell  required  to  get  his  weapon  ready,  the  pony  had 
slackened  his  pace  slightly,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  boar  was  farther  off  than 
before  :  it  was  necessary  to  be  as  near  as  then,  and,  in  the  hope  of  making  the 
second  shot  effectual,  Dick  determined  to  decrease  the  distance  still  more. 

He  observed  a  disturbing  fact :  the  grassy  plain  over  which  all  parties  were 
hastening  terminated  not  very  far  off,  the  jungle  sweeping  around  in  front,  so  that, 
unless  the  game  was  bagged  before  the  boundary  was  reached,  he  was  likely  to  get 
away  altogether. 

Our  young  friend,  therefore,  devoted  a  few  seconds  to  bringing  himself  closer 
to  the  animal.  The  pony,  in  accordance  with  a  habit  he  had  formed,  had  lessened 
his  speed  and  showed  a  disposition  to  draw  off  after  his  rider  fired. 

This  probably  was  on  the  theory  that  the  youth  required  only  a  single  shot  to 
bring  down  his  game  —  a  faith  undoubtedly  complimentary  to  the  hunter  himself, 
but  not  without  its  disadvantages. 

The  horse  was  also  quick  to  comprehend  his  duty,  and,  now  that  he  was  headed 
toward  the  boar  once  more,  he  did  his  level  best,  gradually  but  surely  lessening 
the  space  separating  the  youth  from  the  swiftly-fleeing  game. 


A    FLYING    SHOT    OR    TWO. 


411 


"Don't  aim  at  his  hind  leg  this  time  !  "  shouted  Mr.  Godkin,  "for  he  can  go  on 
three  legs  as  well  as  four." 

Dick  made  no  answer,  for  he  could  think  of  none  that  promised  to  hush  his 
friend :  it  was  enough  to  attend  to  the  game  that  was  likely  to  escape  him  before 
he  could  be  checked. 

Despite  all  the  pony  was  able  to  do,  it  was  not  until  the  boar  was  on  the  farther 
edge  of  the  plain  that  Dick  felt  himself  close  enough  to  risk  another  attempt  to 
bring  him  down.  The  intervening  space  was  only  a  trifle  less  than  before,  when 
he  leveled  his  rifle  and  fired  his  second  shot. 

To  his  mortification  the  pony  at  that  instant  half  stumbled  over  some  obstruc- 
tion in  his  path,  so  disturbing  the  aim  of  the  rider  that  he  knew,  without  looking, 
he  had  missed  entirely. 

"  Well  done  !  "  called  his  tormentor,  whose  laugh  rang  across  the  plain  ;  "that 
shot  didn't  go  more  than  ten  feet  above  his  head.     Can't  we  manage  to  get  the  fel 
low  to  stand  still  a  minute  while  you  poke  the  muzzle  into  his  ear  ?  " 

"  It's  too  late  now,"  replied  Dick,  checking  his  horse,  as  he  saw  that  the  boar 
was  close  to  the  end  of  the  plain ;  "  your  gun  is  loaded  ;  suppose  you  show  me  how 
to  do  it." 

Dick  was  looking  at  Mr.  Godkin,  who  instantly  began  making  excited  gestures. 

"  It  isn't  too  late  either  !  "  he  called.  "  Load  quick  !  you've  got  a  better  chance 
now  than  ever." 

Dick  turned,  and  saw  to  his  amazement  that  the  boar,  instead  of  taking  refuge 
in  the  jungle,  had  turned  squarely  about  and  was  returning  over  the  same  route  he 
had  just  followed. 

But  the  boy's  gun  was  unloaded  and  his  horse  had  come  to  a  full  halt.  He 
could  do  nothing  until  a  new  cartridge  was  in  place,  and  he  set  about  repairing  his 
forgetfulness. 

This  compelled  him  to  withdraw  his  attention  for  the  moment  from  the  animal. 
Short  as  was  the  time  required  to  recharge  his  weapon,  he  had  not  yet  finished 
doing  so  when  Mr.  Godkin,  who  was  riding  toward  him,  called: 

"  Look  out !  the  boar  is  coming  for  you  !  " 

The  lad  glanced  up  and  saw  that  his  friend  spoke  the  truth.  The  boar  had 
wheeled  about,  not  with  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  his  flight,  but  to  punish  the 
parties  who  had  presumed  to  molest  him  while  peacefully  groping  for  dinner. 

Running  along  the  side  of  the  jungle  until  opposite  the  point  where  Dick  had 
halted,  he  turned  sharply  to  the  right,  and,  with  his  head  lowered,  charged  upon 
the  horseman  at  full  speed,  coming  with  such  a  hurricane  rush  that  he  was  upon 
the  terrified  pony  before  the  latter  could  gather  himself  for  flight. 


CHAPTER  LXXIV. 

A     STRANGE     EXPERIENCE. 

'EST  you  may  think  I  am  romancing,  I  beg  to  assure  you  that  the  incident 
which  I  am  describing  is  true  in  every  particular  ;  and  I  may  add  that  the 
experience  of  Dick  Brownell  was  similar  to  that  of  one  other  hunter,  as  I 
know  from  my  personal  knowledge. 

The  infuriated  wild  boar  charged  so  swiftly  upon  the  youth  that,  as  I  have  said, 
he  reached  the  pony  before  the  latter  could  comprehend  his  peril  and  gather  him- 
self for  flight. 

In  accordance  with  his  instincts,  the  boar  ran  his  head  directly  beneath  the 
horse,  with  the  intention  of  disemboweling  him  by  an  upward  flirt  of  those  terrible 
tusks  ;  but,  in  his  rage,  he  drove  his  snout  beyond  the  steed,  so  that,  when  it  was 
flung  aloft,  it  missed  the  body  of  his  victim,  and  the  blade-like  ivories  clove  empty 
air  instead  of  flesh  and  bone. 

But  the  swing  of  the  head  lifted  the  pony  entirely  off  his  feet,  and  he  fell 
broadside  across  the  neck  of  the  boar,  kicking  and  striving  desperately  to  free 
himself  from  the  brute  beneath  him. 

Dick  had  dropped  his  gun  and  strove  to  leap  from  the  back  of  his  horse  ;  but, 
before  he  could  do  so,  the  latter  had  fallen,  and  the  boy's  foot  was  inextricably 
caught  in  the  stirrup. 

Thus  it  was  that  the  boar  supported  on  his  neck,  not  only  the  full  weight  of  the 
pony,  but  that  of  his  rider  also  ;  and,  holding  them  there,  he  resumed  his  swift  trot, 
as  though  unincumbered  with  anything  of  the  kind. 

It  was  a  strange  sight  that  Mr.  Godkin  saw,  the  kicking  pony  on  his  side  across 
the  neck  of  the  animal,  with  the  rider  entangled  also,  while  the  boar  himself 
resumed  his  trot  toward  the  edge  of  the  jungle,  which  he  had  nearly  reached  when 
he  wheeled  about  to  charge  his  tormentors. 

This  distance,  at  the  very  least,  was  a  hundred  yards,  and,  incredible  as  the 
statement  may  seem,  the  boar  trotted  it  all,  carrying  the  pony  and  Dick  Brownell 
the  entire  distance. 

Mr.  Godkin  was  terrified  lest  the  youth  should  be  killed.  Springing  from  the 
back  of  his  horse,  he  ran  forward  with  the  intention  of  planting  a  bullet  back  of  the 
boar's  fore  leg,  but  the  risk  of  hitting  either  the  pony  or  his  rider  was  so  great  that 
he  dared  not  fire. 

The  natives,  from  their  place  on  the  edge  of  the  plain,  saw  that  something 
serious  was  amiss,  and  came  running  to  the  help  of  their  friends,  shouting,  brandishing 
their  spears  aloft,  and  eager  to  do  what  they  could  to  help  the  young  but  mighty 
hunter.  4I2 


A    STRANGE    EXPERIENCE. 


413 


But  they  were  so  far  off  that  they  could  not  possibly  arrive  in  time  to  do  any- 
thing. To  Mr.  Godkin  it  looked  as  if  Dick's  chief  danger  was  from  the  hoofs  of 
the  pony,  which  were  flying  about  in  such  a  frantic  way  that  they  were  liable  to 
shatter  his  skull. 

But  at  the  edge  of  the  plain  the  steed  fought  himself  free  and  fell  to  the  ground, 
Dick  going  with  him.  The  boar  paid  no  further  attention  to  either,  but,  without 
increasing  or  diminishing  his  speed,  trotted  into  the  jungle  and  vanished. 

While  the  pony  was  clambering  to  his  feet,  Mr.  Godkin  hurried  up  and  bent 
over  his  young  friend  who  lay  still. 

"  Are  you  hurt,  Dick  ?  "  he  asked,  observing  that  his  eyes  were  open. 

"  I'm  bruised  a  little,  but  I  don't  think  any  bones  are  broken,"  he  replied,  rising 
slowly  to  his  feet  with  the  help  of  his  companion.  , 

He  had  dropped  his  gun  and  hat,  and  his  clothes  presented  a  sorry  appearance; 
but  it  was  just  like  the  boy,  after  shaking  himself  together  and  finding  that  he  was 
free  from  fractured  bones,  to  ask  in  a  quizzical  voice: 

"  How  is  the  boar  ?  " 

"  He  seemed  to  be  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  usual  health,  when  I  saw  him  last." 

The  next  question,  which  ought  to  have  preceded  the  other,  was  as  to  how  the 
pony  had  come  out  of  his  rough  experience. 

It  was  evident  that  he  was  not  too  badly  injured  to  climb  to  his  feet.  Looking 
around,  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  saw  him  skurrying  across  the  plain,  hair,  mane, 
bridle  and  stirrups  flying,  while  he  snorted  with  fright.  Surely,  if  ever  a  horse  was 
warranted  in  yielding  to  panic,  the  pony  was  that  one. 

But  he  was  heading  toward  the  three  natives,  running  to  the  help  of  their 
masters.  Seeing  him  coming,  they  spread  out  over  the  plain,  and,  as  he  was  a 
well-trained  steed,  he  suffered  himself  to  be  caught  by  Jim,  who  found  him  so  weak 
and  trembling  that  he  could  hardly  stand.  When,  however,  the  native  undertook 
to  lead  him  back  to  his  owner,  he  refused  to  move.  He  had  had  enough  hard 
handling  in  that  direction  to  make  him  anxious  to  shun  the  spot  forever  after. 

So  Jim  stayed  with  him,  while  his  companions  hurried  forward. 

"Well,"  laughed  Mr.  Godkin,  unspeakably  relieved  to  find  that  Dick  had  not 
been  seriously  hurt,  "  what  do  you  think  of  the  wild  boar  as  game  to  be  hunted  ?  " 

"  I  know  of  one  specimen  that  is  able  to  hold  his  own  against  me  at  least." 

"Yes;  and  against  a  half  a  dozen.  I  am  surprised  that  he  failed  to  kill  your 
pony." 

"  He  doesn't  seem  to  have  hurt  him  at  all,"  remarked  Dick  some  minutes  later, 
when  they  had  reached  the  spot  where  the  trembling  beast  stood,  with  Jim  holding 
him. 

"  It  was  his  very  eagerness  to  kill  him  that  prevented,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin, 
attentively  examining  the  steed;  "  he  has  scratched  him  somewhat,  and  no  doubt 
the  pony  has  been  as  well  shaken  up  as  his  master;  but  the  boar  drove  his  head  so 
far  forward  that  he  undershot  the  mark." 

"  But  he  had  only  to  draw  back  a  step  or  two  to  cut  the  poor  horse  fatally." 


414 


A    STRANGE    EXPERIENCE. 


x 


"  I  wonder  that  he  didn't,  but,  having  got  you  both  on  his  neck,  he  wanted  to 
give  you  a  free  ride." 

"It's  the  sort  of  ride  that  I  wouldn't  take  again  for  all  the  wealth  of  India,"  re- 
marked Dick  with  a  shudder,  as  he  began  patting  the  neck  of  his  steed.  "  No  one 
can  imagine  my  feelings  during  those  two  or  three  minutes  when  the  boar  was 

under  me  and  the  pony  on  top." 
/--"~ \  "  I  thought  he  would  kick  your  brains  out." 

'•""',  "  He  must  have  come  very  near  it ;  I 

can't  understand  why  he  did  not.     My  foot 
was  caught  in  such  a  way  that   I 
couldn't  possibly  get  it  out  of  the 
stirrup.     Although  I  did  not  have 
his  whole  weight  on  me,  I  felt  as  if 
my  breast  was  crushed  in  by 
'—--..„.       the    mountain   pressing  me 
down.    I  fought  and  kicked, 
too,  but  I  couldn't  see 
anything  plainly,  and 
all  was  a  blind  strug- 
gle for  life." 

"  But  you  did  get 
your  foot  loose." 

"When  the  pony 
toppled  off  he  must 
have  twisted  the  stir- 
rup in  such  a  way 
that  myfoot  drew  out, 
By  that  time  every- 
thing looked  dark, 
and  you  saw  I  was  a 
little  dazed  when  you 
i>  came  up." 

"  It  was  most  prov- 
idential     that     you 
were  not  killed  outright." 

"I    feel    that,    and    I    shall    thank 
Heaven  as  long  as  I  live  for  preserving 

*ae,  not  only  from  this  peril,  but  from  the  others  by  which  I  have  been  threatened.     I 
can  now  appreciate  Pongo's  escape  from  the  wild  boar  in  Africa." 

"  It  is  better  to  be  born  lucky  than  rich,  and  best  of  all  to  be  born  plucky,"  was 
the  truthful  comment  of  Mr.  Godkin.  "  I  judge  we  have  all  had  enough  hunting  for 
to-day." 

It  was   some   time    before   our  friends  recovered  from  the    flurry   caused   by 


"  ROYAL  SPORT,  INDEED." 


A    STRANGE    EXPERIENCE.  415 

the  encounter  with  the  wild  boar,  which  in  some  respects  was  similar  to  the 
Bushman's  experience  with  one  of  the  animals  in  South  Africa.  Dick's  pony 
showed  a  formidable  disposition  to  regard  more  than  one  inanimate  object  as 
another  of  the  beasts  in  disguise,  awaiting  the  chance  to  charge  upon  him  again, 
while  his  rider  found  he  had  been  so  severely  shaken  up  that  he  was  likely  to  feei 
the  effects  for  several  days. 

Before  reaching  camp,  Mr.  Godkin  had  noticed  the  absence  of  Jack.  Jim  ex- 
plained that  he  had  set  out  to  call  on  a  friend  living  hardly  a  third  of  a  mile  dis- 
tant. The  migratory  life  of  the  Hindoos  precludes  all  our  ideas  of  home,  and  Jack 
meant  to  stay  with  him  for  only  a  short  time.  He  expected  to  procure  some  food, 
and  it  was  his  intention  to  return  before  the  set  of  sun. 

This  course  of  the  native  would  have  been  considered  presumptuous  by  many, 
since  Jed  had  also  gone  on  a  short  visit,  but  Mr.  Godkin  expressed  no  objection. 
He  was  a  kind  master  and  allowed  his  servants  great  latitude  in  their  actions. 
He  related  the  interesting  sight  he  and  Dick  had  witnessed  by  the  pool. 

It  would  be  supposed  that  Jim  and  Jo  would  have  felt  the  most  interest  in  the 
incident  in  which  they  had  just  taken  a  slight  part,  but  they  seemed  to  think  more 
about  the  "  rogue  "  elephant  than  anything  else.  Both  had  encountered  the  animals 
and  knew  all  about  their  ugly  disposition,  though,  for  that  matter,  the  most  tractable 
of  them  have  moods  when  they  are  extremely  dangerous. 

"  Glad  he  no  see  you,"  said  Jim,  speaking  slowly,  so  as  to  make  the  best  showing 
with  his  English. 

"  I  don't  know  that  it  would  have  made  any  difference,"  replied  Mr.  Godkin, 
unable  to  share  the  apprehension  of  his  servant.  "  I  have  killed  a  good  many 
elephants,  and  would  rather  have  a  fight  with  half  a  dozen  than  encounter  a  tiger." 

"Hora  bad  —  he  ugly  —  he  kill,"  added  Jim,  who  must  have  had  some  reason  of 
his  own  for  holding  the  animal  in  such  dread. 

"  That  may  all  be,  but  a  man  can  be  ugly  without  being  dangerous,  and  if  we 
meet  the  'rogue'  I  shall  not  hesitate  to  let  him  have  the  contents  of  my  gun." 

How  often,  when  inclined  to  boast,  we  are  taught  a  lesson  that  should  close  our 
lips  forever  to  that  manner  of  speaking  !  It  is  hardly  just,  however,  to  charge  my 
friend  Carl  Godkin  with  boasting,  for  I  never  knew  a  man  freer  from  the  objec- 
tionable habit  than  he  ;  but  he  could  not  share  the  fear  that  his  servant  expressed 
of  the  vagabond  elephant,  which  possibly  he  treated  with  too  much  contempt. 

But  it  was  less  than  an  hour  later,  when  the  conversation  was  growing  languid 
and  Dick  Brownell  was  beginning  to  think  his  bruises  were  getting  better,  that  a 
fearful  interruption  of  the  conference  took  place. 

The  absent  Jack  reappeared,  but  in  what  manner? 

Instead  of  coming  across  the  plain,  as  he  had  walked  away,  he  burst  into  sight 
from  the  path  in  the  jungle  over  which  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick  had  passed  a  short 
time  before. 

He  was  on  a  dead  run  and  in  the  extremity  of  terror.  Catching  sight  of  his 
friends,  he  screeched :  "  The  '  goondah ' !  '  goondah  ' !  save  me  !  " 


416 


A    STRANGE    EXPERIENCE. 


Hardly  had  he  dashed  into  view,  when  the  identical  "rogue"  elephant  that  had 
been  driven  away  by  the  herd  swung  after  him.  He  was  so  close,  too,  that  his 
trunk  was  extended  and  almost  reached  the  fugitive. 

Jack  had  lost  his  spear  in  some  way,  but,  had  he  possessed  it,  it  could  have  done 
him  no  service.  Realizing  that  death  was  literally  at  his  heels,  the  appalled  native 
made  a  short  turn  in  his  wild  flight  and  precipitated  himself  headlong  among  his 
friends.  The  latter  were  eager  to  do  their  utmost  to  save  the  poor  fellow,  but  they 
were  taken  at  fearful  disadvantage.  The  panic,  for  an  instant,  seized  all,  and  they 
flew  apart,  in  the  extremity  of  terror. 


A  HAIR'S  BREADTH. 


Having  started  for  Jack,  the  enraged  monster  could  not  be  diverted,  and,  sad  to 
"jay,  in  the  flurry  that  prevailed  for  a  few  seconds,  he  was  only  too  successful. 

The  fall  of  the  native  on  his  hands  and  knees  gave  the  brute  his  opportunity 
With  incredible  quickness,  he  coiled  his  trunk  about  the  dusky  waist,  and,  swinging 
the  poor  fellow  aloft,  hurled  him  with  such  awful  violence  against  the  trunk  of  the 
nearest  tree,  that  it  must  have  shattered  nearly  every  bone  in  his  body. 

Then  he  flung  the  limp  mass  out  upon  the  plain  and  gave  his  attention  to  the 
rest  of  the  party.  Dick  Brownell  was  the  first  to  recover  from  the  panic.  He 
comiprehended  that  it  must  be  a  fight  to  the  death,  and  that  unless  the  beast  was 
brought  low,  he  would  slay  every  one  of  them. 


A    STRANGE    EXPERIENCE.  417 

The  other  two  natives  had  dashed  into  the  jungle  to  save  themselves  ;  Mr.  God- 
kin,  in  the  first  bound  that  he  made,  forgot  to  catch  up  his  rifle,  and  he  ran  twenty 
paces  before  he  awoke  to  his  forgetfulness.  Even  then,  he  would  not  have  ventured 
to  return  had  he  not  seen  that  his  young  friend  was  standing  his  ground,  and  that 
the  whole  fury  of  the  mad  elephant  was  turned  upon  him. 

It  occurred  to  Mr.  Godkin,  too,  at  that  moment,  that  no  flight  could  save  all  the 
members  of  the  party,  since  poor  Jack  had  already  been  sacrificed,  and  their  furious 
pursuer  would  be  sure  to  overtake  some  of  the  party  before  they  could  run  or  climb 
beyond  his  reach. 

Dick  stood  coolly  in  front  of  the  elephant  and  not  more  than  two  rods  distant. 
He  knew  the  location  of  that  small  spot,  just  above  the  trunk,  into  which,  if  the 
tiniest  bullet  can  be  driven,  the  monster  is  doomed  as  certainly  as  if  smitten  by  a 
bolt  from  heaven. 

Aiming  directly  at  that  spot,  Dick  let  the  "  goondah  "  take  several  steps  before  he 
pressed  the  trigger. 

To  his  consternation,  his  piece  missed  fire. 


CHAPTER  LXXV. 

ANOTHER    "CLOSE    CALL." 

URING  his  stay  in  India  Dick  Brownell  was  involved  in  many  perilous 
adventures,  in  most  of  which  he  was  saved  by  his  own  intrepidity  and 
coolness ;  but  among  all  his  thrilling  experiences,  I  have  no  knowledge  of 
any  in  which  he  displayed  such  marvelous  presence  of  mind  as  in  his  encounter 
with  the  "rogue"  elephant  in  the  district  of  Oude. 

When  barely  two  rods  separated  him  from  the  furious  brute  that  was  charging 
down  upon  him,  Dick  brought  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder,  aimed  quickly  at  the  fatal 
spot  in  the  front  of  the  beast,  and  pulled  trigger,  only  to  have  his  weapon  miss  fire. 

It  was  useless  to  turn  and  flee,  for  he  could  not  go  twenty  steps  before  being 
seized,  by  the  trunk  that  was  already  extended  to  grasp  him.  The  cartridge  which 
he  had  placed  in  the  breech  of  his  gun  was  defective,  and  it  must  be  removed  and 
another  put  in  its  place  before  there  was  any  possibility  of  helping  himself. 

The  lad  proceeded  to  do  this  with  wonderful  self-possession.  The  worthless 
shell  was  withdrawn  and  another  inserted.  Then  he  hastily  adjusted  the  breech, 
and  attempted  to  bring  the  gun  to  his  shoulder. 

But  it  was  too  late. 

The  outstretched  trunk  caught  him  about  the  waist  just  as  he  turned  to  dart 
aside,  and  he  was  held  immovable. 

Meanwhile  Mr.  Godkin  had  not  been  idle.  Catching  up  his  gun,  he  leveled  it  at 
the  furious  brute,  but  unfortunately  his  position  at  that  instant  was  such  that  he 
could  not  select  a  fatal  spot  into  which  to  drive  the  bullet,  and  there  was  not  a 
second  to  wait.  As  the  best  and  only  thing  he  could  do,  he  aimed  at  the  head  and 
pulled  trigger. 

There  was  no  miss,  and  the  ball  crashed  its  way  into  the  huge  skull,  inflicting  a 
wound  which,  perhaps,  was  mortal,  though  not  immediately  so,  and  Dick  must  be 
saved  at  once  if  at  all. 

The  smoke  had  not  yet  cleared  from  the  muzzle,  and  the  enormous  beast  gave 
no  evidence  of  being  hurt,  except  by  an  irritated  flirt  of  the  head,  when  the  horrified 
Mr.  Godkin  saw  the  lad  lifted  in  air,  his  arms  and  legs  flying  in  the  desperate  effort 
to  release  himself  from  the  terrible  grip  of  the  "goondah." 

"  Where  is  your  gun  ?  "  shouted  his  friend,  running  forward  ;  "  quick  !  and  I'll 
give  him  another  shot !  " 

The  words  were  yet  in  his  mouth  when  Dick  pointed  to  the  weapon  at  the  feet  of 
Mr.  Godkin.  Even  in  that  awful  moment  the  lad  did  not  lose  his  wits. 

When  the  man  stooped  to  pick  it  up  the  elephant  lowered  his  trunk  and  placed 
the  youth  on  the  ground  in  front  of  him. 

418 


ANOTHER    "CLOSE    CALL.' 


Instead  of  dashing  him  to  death,  as  he  had  done  with  the  wretched  native,  he 
laid  him  down,  with  the  intention  of  kneeling  upon  him,  that  being  one  of  the  ani- 
mal's favorite  methods  of  killing  its  victim. 

You  need  not  be  told  that  no  living  creature  can  withstand 
the  crush  of  so  many  tons.     Many  an    elephant  by  such 
means  has  mashed  a  squirming  tiger  to  pulp.     Dick  'fa 

knew  the  purpose  of  the   beast, 
and  maintained   his    presence  of 
mind.     The  moment  the  trunk 
relaxed  its  grip,  and  he  found 
himself  free,  with  the    huge 
beam-like  knee  slowly  des- 
cending   upon   him,   he 
rolled  slightly  to  one 
side,  so  that  the  knee 
just  missed  him,  com- 
ing down  upon  the 
earth  instead. 

Then,  with  inim- 
itable dexterity,  he 
leaped  to  his 
feet,  and,  as 
the  disappoint- 
ed elephant 
groped  for  him 
again  with  his 
trunk,  half 
turning  his 
head  to  see 
what  had  be- 
come of  him, 
the  boy  dashed 
between  his 

hind  legs.     Even  that  amazing  achievement  would  not  have  saved  him  but  for  tha 
intervention  of  Mr.  Godkin. 

The  latter,  as  he  caught  up  the  rifle  of  the  youth,  was  placed  exactly  in  front  of 
the  "rogue,"  and,  as  the  beast  inclined  his  head  forward  and  downward  to  replace  his 
victim  in  position  for  crushing,  he  exposed  the  most  vulnerable  joint  in  his  "  armor." 

Not  Gordon  Gumming  himself  knew  more  accurately  the  location  of  the  fatally 
weak  spot  in  the  most  gigantic  creature  that  walks  the  earth,  and  no  fairer  target 
could  have  been  presented. 

It  was  when  the  brute  was  turning  his  head  to  see  what  had  become  of  the  boy, 
that  Mr.  Godkin  pulled  the  trigger.  That  did  the  business. 


"Bux  IT  WAS  TOO  LATE." 


<j.20  ANOTHER    "CLOSE    CALL." 

The  ball  tore  its  way  through  the  thin  sheathing  of  bone  which  at  that  point 
covers  the  brain,  and  extinguished  life  as  effectually  as  if  the  animal  had  been 
struck  by  a  cannon  ball. 

The  great  beast  stood  motionless  a  moment,  with  his  fiead  partly  turned  to  one 
side,  as  though  dumb.  Then  a  shudder  passed  through  the  enormous  mass,  and 
down  he  went  like  a  falling  house,  splintering  one  of  his  tusks  at  the  base,  and 
emitting  his  death  cry,  in  one  single  whinnying  snort  which  was  his  last. 

"  Hello,  Dick  !  how  do  you  feel  ?  "  called  the  happy  man,  running  around  to  the 
rear  of  the  carcass,  and  meeting  his  young  friend,  who  had  clambered  to  his  feet, 
his  face  as  white  as  a  sheet. 

"  A  little  better  than  when  I  was  a  dozen  feet  in  air,"  was  the  reply,  "  but  I  am 
pretty  well  shaken  up." 

And  then  the  reaction  from  his  frightful  experience  made  him  faint,  and  he  was 
obliged  to  lie  down  on  the  ground  to  recover  himself. 

Mr.  Godkin  ran  to  him,  but  the  boy  did  not  swoon,  though  he  was  on  the  verge 
of  doing  so.  He  quickly  rallied,  and,  with  a  smile  at  his  own  weakness,  once  more 
climbed  to  his  feet. 

"  It  was  a  narrow  escape,"  he  said,  and  then,  recalling  the  fate  of  the  native,  he 
added:  "  Poor  Jack !  he  was  not  so  fortunate  as  I." 

The  two  walked  to  where  the  dark  figure  lay  and  saw  that  not  a  semblance  of  life 
was  left.  The  handling  he  had  received  was  enough  to  kill  a  dozen  men. 

"  We  can  only  give  him  decent  burial,"  was  the  remark  of  Mr.  Godkin,  as  the 
two  bent  over  the  inanimate  form. 

"How  grateful  I  feel,"  was  the  fervent  remark  of  Dick,  "that  God  was  again  so 
merciful  to  me.  More  than  once  has  He  interfered  when  there  seemed  no  chance 
of  my  escape." 

"Did  not  the  elephant  injure  you  at  all  ?  "  asked  his  friend,  feeling  some  misgiv- 
ing at  his  continued  paleness. 

"  I  think  not,  though  I  felt  when  he  first  took  me  off  my  feet,  as  though  he  were 
crushing  me  to  death,  and  you  see  I  am  all  of  a  tremble." 

•"  That  will  soon  pass  off,  though  I  hope  you  won't  have  any  more  such  shakings  as 
that.  How  did  you  manage  to  elude  him  when  he  fixed  you  in  position  for  crushing?" 

"  I  would  have  been  a  fool  not  to  have  taken  advantage  of  the  single  chance  he 
gave  me.  If  he  had  held  me  still  with  his  trunk  until  he  got  one  of  his  knees  on  me, 
that  would  have  been  the  end,  but  he  released  me  for  an  instant,  and  it  Avas  enough." 

"  I  held  my  breath,"  said  Mr.  Godkin,  shuddering  at  the  recollection,  "  for  I 
thought  it  was  all  up  with  you." 

"  So  did  I,  though,  as  they  say,  while  there's  life  there's  hope,  and  the  slight  roll 
Jo  one  side  saved  me.  Before  he  could  locate  me  again  I  was  on  my  feet  and 
darted  between  his  legs.  Then  came  your  shot,  and  it  was  good-by,  Mr.  Goondah." 

"  I  never  saw  a  '  rogue '  elephant  that  was  so  vicious;  he  must  have  had  one  of  his 
worst  spells,  and  it  was  intensified  by  the  treatment  he  received  from  that  herd 
wnicr:  he  wished  to  join  whep  they  were  bathing  in  the  pool." 


ANOTHER    "  CLOSE    CALL.' 


42I 


"  Well,"  added  Dick  with  a  sigh,  "  he  has  run  his  course;  I  wonder  whether  Jim 
and  Jo  will  put  in  an  appearance  again." 

It  was  not  long,  however,  before  the  natives,  finding  all  danger  past,  showed 
themselves  once  more.  No  one  could  blame  them  for  their  flight,  for  they  would 
only  have  endangered  themselves  by  staying,  without  being  able  to  help  their 
doomed  companion. 

Jed  returning  shortly  afterward,  it  was  decided  by  the  party  to  make  their  way 
to  the  village,  where  the  assistants  had  plenty  of  acquaintances,  and  secure  their 
help  in  putting  the  body  away  in  its  last  resting-place. 

The  sad  duty  was  completed  in  a  respectful  and  impressive  manner,  no  one  of 
the  natives  mourning  the  loss  of  Jack  more  sincerely  than  did  Mr.  Godkin  and  Dick 
Brownell. 

Returning  to  the  hut  by  the  wayside,  which  had  become  a  sort  of  headquarters 
for  our  friends,  they  remained  over  night.     The  di- 
rector and  his  young  friend  sat  for  a  long  time  dis- 
cussing their  future  course. 

Dick  was  in  favor  of  an  attempt  to  secure 
the  big   elephant  which   had   aroused   their 
admiration  at  the  pool  where  he  and 
his  family  were  bathing. 

Mr.  Godkin  thought  there  was  a 
poor    prospect    of    finding    the    herd 
again,  the  members  having  probably 
moved  their  quarters  to  some  point 
miles  distant.     If  such  should  prove 
the  case,  there  was  no  means  of 
following  them,  and  the  hunt 
would  have  to  be  abandoned. 
It  seemed  to  Dick  that  such  a 
prize  as  this  enormous  Asiatic 
elephant  would  be  a  fitting 
termination    to    their    enter- 
prise in  India,  and  Mr.  God- 
kin    consented   to    make  the 
effort  with  him. 

An  indispensable  neces- 
sity of  the  hunt,  as  laid  out, 
was  an  India  rubber  rope, 
which,  fortunately,  was  in  the 

possession  of  their  host,  who  gladly  placed  it  at  their  disposal.  The  plan  of  cam- 
paign, as  it  may  be  called,  rendered  unnecessary  the  company  of  the  natives,  and 
it  was  decided  to  leave  them  behind. 

The  next  morning,  therefore,  bright  and  early,  the  two  mounted  their  horses 


HE  LAID  HIM  DOWN.' 


422 


ANOTHER    "  CLOSE    CALL." 


and  rode  off  at  a  brisk  pace,  in  the  direction  of  the  grassy  plain  and  jungle  which 
had  been  the  scene  of  so  many  stirring  adventures  to  both  parties. 

You  will  recall  that  it  was  there  that  our  friends  had  caught  their  first  sight  of  the 
herd,  as  they  swung  over  the  trail  to  the  pool  of  water  where  they  had  had  such  a  jolly 
time.  The  supposition  was  that  the  elephants  would  be  likely  to  make  another 
visit  to  the  pool,  and  that  vicinity,  therefore,  was  the  right  one  in  which  to  look  for 
them. 

Accordingly  the  friends  lost  no  time  in  riding  directly  to  the  spot,  where  most 
unexpected  good  fortune  awaited  them. 


CHAPTER  LXXVI. 
DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA, 

THE  bulky  body  of  the  "rogue"  ele- 
phant, which  had  killed  the  poor  native, 
Jack,  and  had  in  turn  been  shot  by  Mr. 
Godkin,  still  lay  where  it  had  fallen  near 
the  edge  of  the  jungle.  The  sight  of  the 
carcass  was  so  striking  that  seven  spec- 
tators were  grouped  around,  surveying  it 
with  emotions  of  inquiring  wonder. 

Those  seven  spectators  were  the  ele- 
phants that  our  friends  had  seen  bathing 
in  the  pool.  They  formed  a  unique  pic- 
ture, indeed,  their  interest  manifestly  as 
deep  as  any  person's  could  have  been. 

The  ponies  were  sweeping  along  on 
a  sharp  gallop,  when  the  bull  elephant 
uttered  that  peculiar  "phut ! "  by  which 
he  apprised  the  other  members  of  his 
family,  not  only  of  danger,  but  located  it  by  extend 
ing  his  trunk  toward  the  horsemen. 

"  By  George  !  there  they  are  1 "  was  the  excited  exclama 
tion  of  Dick,  forgetting  his  bruises  in  his  delight  at  catching 
sight  of  the  very  herd  for  which  they  were  searching.  The 
brutes  seemed  to  be  frightened  at  the  appearance  of  the 
hunters,  and  started  tumultuously  into  the  jungle,  taking  the 
same  path  they  had  previously  followed  when  going  to  the 
pool  to  bathe. 

"Now  is  our  time,"  added  Mr.  Godkin,  hardly  less 
excited  than  his  companion;  "let's  hurry  after  them." 

The  ponies  required  no  attention,  since  they  were 
sure  to  await  the  return  of  their  masters.  The  latter  took 
their  rifles,  and  Dick  carried  the  indis- 
pensable rubber  rope,  the  two  making 
straight  for  the  spoor,  over  which  they 
passed  at  a  run. 

As  they  neared  the  pool  they  slackened 

GOLDEN  TROGONS.  their  pace,  and  when  they  caught  sight  of 

423 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


one  of  the  herd  came  to  a  halt  for  a  brief  consultation.  While  the  members  of  the 
bull's  family  seemed  to  believe  their  short  run  had  taken  them  beyond  all  danger, 
the  head  of  the  household  was  not  satisfied.  He  stood  on  the  edge  of  the  water, 
looV:~g  doubtfully  at  the  others,  including  the  baby  elephant,  that  were  sporting 
in  the  same  frolicsome  fashion  as  before. 

"We  couldn't  have  a  better  chance,"  whispered 
Dick,  leaning  his  gun  against  a  tree  and  stealing 
carefully  forward. 

The  head  of  the  gigantic  bull  was  turned  away, 
and,  provided  he  maintained  that  posture,  it  was 
clear  thai  the  golden  opportunity  which  the  hunters 
coveted  was  at  their  command. 
It  was  necessary  to  approach 
the  animal  from  the  rear,  and, 
above  all  things,  it  must  be 
done  without  detection. 

Dick  Brownell's  ardor  was 
the  only  thing  to  be  feared, 
and  his  companion  cautioned 
mm  several  times. 

The  bull,  however,  did 
not  remain  motionless.  He 
showed  his  suspicious  mood, 
while  standing  with  his  face 
toward  the  pool,  by  occasion- 
ally  turning  his  head  as  if  to 
guard  against  the  very  peril 
that  now  threatened  him.  Dick  kept  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  fellow,  while  stealing 
toward  him  in  a  crouching  position,  and,  whenever  the  head  moved,  the  lad  not 
only  stopped,  but  sank  down  on  his  face,  to  wait  until  the  huge  front  swung  away 
again. 

For  one  instant  both  he  and  Mr.  Godkin  thought  it  was  all  up.  The  bull  turned 
partly  round,  and  stared  so  long  over  the  back  trail  that  they  were  sure  he  had  dis- 
covered them. 

Mr.  Godkin  held  his  rifle  ready,  for  he  did  not  mean  to  be  caught  at  a  disad- 
vantage if  their  prize  turned  upon  them,  as  he  was  likely  to  do  in  case  of  discovery. 
But  the  head  went  back,  and  once  more  the  hunters  resumed  their  stealthy 
advance. 

Ten  minutes  later  Dick  had  "crossed  the  Rubicon," — that  is,  he  had  gone  so 
far  as  to  be  unable  to  withdraw  without  discovery. 

Mr.  Godkin  stopped  his  own  advance  a  couple  of  rods  away,  for  there  was  no 
call  for  him  to  go  farther :  everything  now  depended  on  the  lad. 

But  the  gentleman  had  one  end  of  the  rubber  rope  in  his  hand.     Setting  down 


THE  CRITICAL  MOMENT. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


425 


his  gun,  he  deftly  fastened  it  around  a  tree,  fully  two  feet  in  diameter.  Then, 
picking  up  his  weapon  again,  he  stationed  himself  behind  the  trunk,  ready  to  fire 
on  an  instant's  warning. 

He  was  resolved  to  take  no  more  chances  than  possible.  Much  as  he  desired  to 
capture  the  valuable  beast,  he  was  determined  that  the  plucky  boy's  life  should  be 
placed  in  no  greater  peril  than  was  unavoidable. 

If  the  bull  should  detect  the  lad  at  his  feet,  he  would  be  certain  to  turn  upon 
him,  and,  to  do  so,  would  have  to  swing  his  head  completely  around. 

The  instant  he  brought  his  skull  into  fair  range,  Mr.  Godkin  intended  to  drive 


THE  SATIN  BOWER  BIRD. 

the  bullet  between  the  eye  and  ear  or  into  the  same  fatally  weak  spot  that  had  ad- 
mitted the  ball  into  the  skull  of  the  "  goondah." 

The  six  elephants  in  the  pool  were  so  occupied  with  their  own  fun,  that  they  paid 
no  heed  to  the  bull  standing  on  shore,  hesitating  whether  or  not  to  march  in  and 
join  them. 

Had  they  bestowed  a  glance  en  the  respected  head  of  the  family,  they  could  not 
have  failed  to  observe  the  crouching  form  at  his  hind  feet  and  they  would  have  been 
sure  to  utter  a  warning  tnat  would  have  apprised  him  of  his  danger. 

The  moment  Dick  reached  the  bull  he  was  ready  for  business. 

As  you  have  doubtless  suspected,  his  plan  was  to  slip  a  noose  of  the  rubber  rope 


426 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


over  one  of  the  feet,  where  any  motion  of  the  brute  would  draw  it  taut.  But,  to  do 
this,  it  was  necessary  that  the  intended  victim  should  first  lift  one  of  his  fset  — 
which  he  was  not  likely  to  do  of  his  own  accord. 


THE  SOCIABLE  WEAVER  BIRD. 


The  elephant  hunters,  however,  have  an  easy  way  of  overcoming  that  difficulty, 
With  the  fingers  of  his  right  hand,  Dick  scratched  the  left  hind  leg  of  the  bull. 
Despite  the  thickness  of  the  elephant's  skin,  it  is  extremely  sensitive,  and  the  action 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


427 


PARADISE  WHIDAH. 


caused  a  tickling  sen- 
sation which  led  the 
monster  to  lift  the  foot 
in  the  effort  to  free  it 
of  the  irritation. 

This  was  the  criti- 
cal time. 

The  loop  at  the 
!  end  of  the  rubber  rope 
lay  close  to  the  foot 
on  the  ground,  its  cir- 
cumference being  like 
that  of  a  barrel-hoop. 
The  instant  the 
foot  was  lifted  a  few 
inches,  Dick  slipped 
the  coil  over  it,  gave  a  quick  jerk  which  tightened  the  rope,  and  then,  knowing  he 
had  done  all  that  was  possible,  wheeled  and  ran  in  the  direction  of  the  waiting  and 
intensely  anxious  Mr.  Godkin.  He  had  hardly  started,  when  the  elephant  made  for 
him  with  uplifted  trunk. 

You  know  that  Dick  was 
fleet  of  foot,  and  need  I  tell 
you  that  he  never  ran  faster 
in  all  his  life  than  when  the 
wrathful  bull  elephant  was 
trumpeting  at  his  heels  ? 

Mr.  Godkin  had  gone 
back  over  the  trail,  so  as  to 
place  himself  beyond  reach 
of  the  brute,  provided  the 
rubber  rope  did  not  break. 
There  he  stood,  with  his 
breech-loader  at  his  shoul- 
der, leveled  at  the  front  of 
the  savage  beast,  charging 
down  upon  him  like  a  runa- 
way locomotive. 

He  knew  the  point  the 
rope  would  permit  him  to 
reach;  it  was  within  a  dozen 
feet  of  where  he  was  stand- 
ing. If  he  should  come  any 
farther,  it  would  show  that  THE  LYRE  BIRD. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


AFRICAN  BARBKT. 


the  rubber  was  unequal  to  the  ten- 
sion and  had  parted. 

The  instant  that  took  place,  the 
leveled  rifle  would  be  fired  and  the 
valuable  prize  would  be  snuffed  out 
in  a  twinkling. 

The  bull  gained  rapidly  on  Dick, 
despite  the  lad's  remarkable  swift- 
ness. Of  necessity  the  thrilling 
race  could  last  but  a  few  seconds. 

At  the  moment  when  it  seemed 
the  boy  was  doomed,  and  when  Mr. 
Godkin's  finger  was  pressing  the 
trigger,  the  bull  uttered  a  cry  of 
terror  and  pain  and  fell  on  his  side. 


The  rope  was  equal  to  the  terrific  strain,  and,  being  extended  to  its  utmost  limit, 
jerked  the  monster  backward  with  such  violence  that  he  was  flung  on  his  side, 
where  he  lay  trumpeting  with  pain  and  fury,  while  his  imprisoned  leg  was  drawp, 
straight  out  behind  him  by  the  elastic  rope. 

This  occurrence  instantly  created  the  wildest  panic  among  the  other  elephants 
They  rushed  out  of  the  pool, 
plunged  around  in  a  circle, 
tramped  into  the  water  again, 
then  hurried  toward  the  bull, 
then  back  once  more,  and 
finally  made  off  into  the  jungle 
as  if  fleeing  from  a  mortal 
peril.  The  faithless  family 
had  deserted  its  head  and 
master. 

By  and  by,  the  latter,  still 
trumpeting  and  lashing  furi 
ously,  struggled  to  his  feet  and 
stumbled  and  worked  his  way 
back  toward  the  water,  until 
the  tension  was  so  relaxed 
that  he  was  able  to  stand  with- 
out difficulty. 

Catching  sight  of  the  two 
hunters  in  the  path,  his  rage 
burst  forth  again,  and  he 
charged  a  second  time,  com- 
ing so  near  that  Mr.  Godkin 

THE  HORNBILL. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA.  429 

raised  his  gun  as  before.  But  precisely  the  same  discomfiture  was  repeated.  He 
went  down  broadside  with  such  violence  that  it  must  have  made  every  nerve  in 
his  body  quiver,  while  the  tremendous  pull  upon  his  leg  caused  him  to  scream 
with  agony.  Floundering  to  his  feet,  he  stumbled  backward  until  once  more  the 
strain  was  loosened  and  he  became  comparatively  free  from  pain. 

"  He  must  be  conquered,"  remarked  Mr.  Godkin,  "  and  that  will  take  consider 


THE  TAILOR  BIRD. 

able  time,  for  he  is  a  savage  fellow.  We  will  leave  him  where  he  is  until  to-morrow 
morning,  when  he  will  be  ready  to  give  up,  unless  I  am  much  mistaken." 

It  was  cruel  to  leave  the  beast  alone,  but  really  that  was  the  best  thing  to  do. 

Accordingly,  our  friends  turned  their  backs  upon  him  and  deliberately  walked 
to  the  plain,  remounted  their  ponies  and  rode  to  the  wayside  hut,  in  which  they  had 
spent  the  preceding  night.  They  were  by  no  means  free  from  misgiving,  for  the 


430 


DICK    BROWNELL'S    LAST    EXPLOIT    IN    INDIA. 


continual  tugging  at  the  rope  was  likely  to  wear  it  out  at  last,  while  there  was  fear 
that  the  other  elephants  might  come  back  and  find  some  way  of  releasing  the  captive. 
But  they  could  only  wait  and  hope. 


THE  OVEN  BIRD. 

next  morning,   Mr.   Godkin  and   Dick,  accompanied  by  Jim,  Jo  and   Ted, 
made  their  way  to  the  pool,  wondering  what  they  would  find. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


43 * 


On  their  way  thither,  Jed,  who  had  made  a  detour  and  discovered  a  female  panthe 
ivith  several  young  ones,  rushed  back  in  great  excitement  with  the  news.  But  Mj 
Godkin  remarked  that  they  were  "  loaded  for  elephant,"  and  had  no  time  to  bothe 


THE  STORMY  PETREL. 


with  such  small  game  as  panthers.  The  animals  were  therefore  left  undisturbed, 
and  our  friends  pushed  on.  To  their  inexpressible  delight,  they  found  a  completely 
"onquered  elephant,  of  most  unusual  size. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


433 


THE  LAUGHING 
KINGFISHER. 


Long  before  their  arrival,  the 
intelligent  brute  had  reached  a  re- 
alizing sense  of  his  helplessness. 
He  knew  he  was  at  the  mercy  of 
those  who  had  captured  him,  and 
the  moment  they  came  in  sight  he  trumpeted  his 
unconditional  surrender.  Evidently  his  family 
had  reached  the  conclusion  that  a  lord  who  was 
held  immovably  fast  was  of  no  further  account  to 
them,  and  they  basely  abandoned  him  to  his  fate. 
Becoming  fully  satisfied  of  his  conquest,  the 
bull  was  released.  No  vicious  stallion,  under  the 
manipulation  of  Rarey  himself,  was  meeker 
than  this  monarch  elephant,  who  allowed  the 
three  natives  to  clamber  upon  his  back,  and 
who  obediently  moved  through  the  jungle  and 
across  the  plain  to  the  hut  by  the  wayside,  Mr. 
Godkin  and  Dick  riding  their  ponies  by  his  side. 
Halting  at  the  hut  only  long  enough  to  pay  the 
host  for  his  kindness  and  to  bid  him  good-by,  the  company  took 
up  their  march  to  Lucknow,  which  was  reached  without  incident 
worth  mentioning.  There  they  found  their  agent  had  bestowed 
most  excellent  care  on  the  precious  curiosities  sent  to  him. 

It  was  an  easy  matter  to  arrange  for  their  shipment  down  the 
Ganges  to  Calcutta,  which  was  reached 
in  the  course  of  the  following  week. 
They  were  reshipped  thence  on  an  En- 
glish vessel  to  London,  from  which  point 
they  arrived  at  New  York  in  good 
condition. 

Dick  Brownell  and  Mr.  Godkin  ar- 
rived on  the  same  vessel  that  brought 
the  curiosities,  in  whose  capture  I  trust 
you  have  felt  some  interest,  and  in  the 
telling  of  which  I  hope  you  have  received 
not  only  entertainment  but  instruction. 
You  will  understand  that  the  work  of 
my  friends  in  Africa  and  India  was  mainly 
the  capture  of  wild  animals,  but  my  rec- 
ord of  their  doings  would  not  be  satis- 
factory without  a  reference  to  some  of 
the  interesting  birds  which  they  brought 
home.  It  would  not  have  been  worth  THE  DINORNIS. 

28 


434 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


their  while  to  entrap  these  feathered  beauties,  and  in  many  cases  it  would  have 
been  impossible,  since  a  number  came  from  parts  of  the  world  distant  from  those 
visited  by  them.  Such  were  readily  obtained  from  parties  who  make  a  business 


THE  BRUSH  TURKEY  OF  AUSTRALIA. 

of  rearing  and  selling  them  to  those  who  are  willing  to  pay  the  prices  charged 
One  of  the  most  interesting  specimens  is  the  great  bird  of  paradise,  the  largest 
of  its  species  known,  being  about  eighteen  inches  from  the  beak  to  the  tip  of  the 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


1-35 


tail,  which,  with  the 
body  and  wings,  is  of 
a  rich  coffee-brown, 
deepening  on  the 
breast  to  a  blackish 
violet  or  purple 
brown.  The  top  of  the 
head  and  neck  is  of  a 
delicate  straw-yellow, 
the  feathers  short  and 
close  set,  resembling 
plush  and  velvet;  the 
lower  part  of  the 
throat  to  the  eye  is 
THE  APTERYX.  an  emeraid  green,  the 

feathers  scaly,  with  a  metallic  gloss.     Velvety  plumes  of  deeper  green  extend  across 
the  forehead  and  chin  to  the  eye,  which  is  a  clear  yellow. 

Nature  seems  to  have  run  riot  in  coloring  this  wonderful  bird.  The  beak  is  a 
pale  lead-blue,  and  the  feet  a  pale  pink.  The  two  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  are 
without  webs,  except  a  tiny  one  at  the  base  and  tip,  forming  wire-like  cirri,  spread- 
ing out  in  a  splendid  double  curve,  almost  three  feet  long.  From  each  side  of  the 
body  below  the  wings  projects  a  dense  tuft  of  dainty  plumes,  two  feet  long,  of  a 
dazzling,  glossy  golden-orange  color,  changing,  toward  the  tips,  to  a  pale  brown. 
The  bird  can  elevate  and  spread  this  tuft  at  pleasure,  so  as  to  hide  its  body. 

Remember  that  I  ^ffp 
am  describing  the  male 
bird,  the  female,  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  rule, 
being  plain  and  not 
specially  attractive. 
The  paradise  birds  are 
confined  to  NewGuinea, 
the  Papuan  Islands  and 
portions  of  Australia. 

The  satin  bower  bird 
is  a  native  of  Eastern 
Australia.  The  inter- 
esting fact  connected 
with  them  is  their  prac- 
tice of  building  bowers, 
evidently  with  no  pur- 
pose except  that  of  af- 
fording places  of  frolic  GREAT  BIRD  OF  PARADISE. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 

and  sport.  At  least  no  other  object 
has  yet  been  discovered.  The  birds 
decorate  the  bowers  around  the  en- 
trance with  the  most  brilliantly- 
colored  objects  they  can  gather. 

The  sociable  weaver  bird's  chief 
claim  to  distinction  rests  upon  the 
size  of  its  dwelling-house,  which  is 
generally  placed  in  large,  lofty  trees* 
The  structure  being  completed,  as 
shown  in  the  illustration,  each  pair 
builds  its  nest  underneath  +he  hu^e 
umbrella -like  roof,  which  is  large 
enough  to  permit  two  or  three  hun- 
dred nests.  The  bird  is  fo'jmd  in 
Soiith  Africa. 

THE  PELICAN.  The  paradise  whidah  bird  be- 

longs to  Western  Africa,  from  Senegal  to  Angola.  It  seems  never  to  be  at  rest,  but 
is  continually  flitting  among  the  branches,  stopping  now  and  then  for  a  second  or 
two,  evidently  to  admire  itself. 

Look  at  the  lyre  bird  and  notice  the  appropriateness  of  its  name.  It  is  a  native 
of  Australia,  where  the  beautiful  curved  tail  feathers  can  be  bought  in  pairs  in  the 
shops  of  Sydney.  They  are  of  a  pearly  color  beneath,  with  several  crescent-shaped 
spaces  of  a  rich  rufous  or  black  color. 

The  African  barbets  are  plump,  gaudy-colored  birds,  chiefly  met  with  in  West- 
ern Africa  and  tropical  America. 

A  very  interesting  bird  is  the  golden  trogon,  rivaling  the  bird  of  paradise  in 
the  richness  of  its  plumage.  The  golden  trogon  has  the  greater  portion  of  its 
plumage  apparently  composed  of  burnished  gold. 

The  tailor  bird  is  remark- 
able for  its  curious  nest.  This 
bird  literally  sews  together 
two  leaves,  sometimes  the 
edges  of  one  large  leaf,  at  the 
extremity  of  a  slender  twig, 
and,  with  soft,  cottony  down, 
constructs  a  habitation  as 


comfortable  as  it  is  ingenious. 
The  bill  of  the  bird  serves  as 
a  needle,  and  vegetable  fibers 
are  used  as  thread.  The  nest 
of  the  tailor  bird  is  always 
hung  at  the  extremity  of  the 

SCISSORS  BIRD. 


THE  EAGLE  OWL. 


437 


438 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


twigs  in  order  to  keep  it,  as  far  as  possible,  out  of  the  way  of  monkeys,  snakes  and 
other  enemies. 

A  very  picturesque  bird  is  the  eagle  owl,  which  dwells  among  the  deep  recesses 

of  vast  forests  in  Norway,  Sweden  and  Russia,  and  sometimes  in  the  clefts  of  rocks 

or  the  desolate  ruins  of  ancient  towers.    It  is  found  also  at  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 

The  oven  bird  is  so  called  because  it  constructs  its  earthen  nest  in  the  form  of 

an  oven,   and   this  habitation,  although  of  considerable  size,  is  often  completed 

by  a  pair  of 
these  birds 
in  about 
two  days, 
both  male 
and  female 
engaging 
in  the  task. 
The  nest  is 
made  of 
earth  and 
is  six  inch- 
es and  a 
half  in  di- 
ameter, the 
walls  being 
one  inch 
thick,  and 
the  interior 
is  divided 
into  two 
chambers 
by  a  parti- 
tion begin- 
ning at  the 
entrance 
and  carried 
circularly 
backward. 

I  cannot  refrain  in  this  place  from  telling  you  something  about  the  stormy 
petrels,  familiarly  known  as  Mother  Gary's  chickens,  which  are  seen  in  every  part 
of  the  ocean  skimming  over  the  surface  of  a  heavy-rolling  sea.  They  flock  under 
the  wake  of  ships  before  a  storm,  and  superstitious  sailors  look  upon  them  as 
prophets  of  evil.  "  But,"  says  an  eminent  naturalist,  "  as  well  might  they  curse 
the  midnight  light-house  that,  star-like,  guides  them  on  their  watery  way,  or  the 
buov  that  warns  them  of  the  sunken  rocks  below,  as  this  harmless  wanderer,  whose 


THE  EARED  GREBE. 


DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 


439 


THE  ADJUTANT  BIRD. 

manner  informs  them  of  the  approach  of  the  storm,  and  enables  them  to  prepare 
for  it."  The  illustration  on  page  431  represents  the  Fulmar  petrel,  which  is 
especially  abundant  in  the  Arctic  seas. 


440  DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 

The  laughing  king  fisher  of  Australia  is  an  exquisitely  beautiful  bird,  and  one 
of  the  largest  species.  It  is  as  fond  of  reptiles  as  of  fish. 

What  a  queer-looking  bird  is  the  hornbill !  The  male  is  addicted  to  the  extraor- 
dinary practice  of  plastering  up  the  female  with  her  egg  and  feeding  her  during 
the  whole  period  of  incubation,  or  till  the  young  one  is  fledged. 

There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  dinornis  is  found  in  New  Zealand.  It 
towers  aloft  like  a  giraffe,  but  is  very  rare,  and  my  friends  were  unable  to  obtain  a 
specimen. 

The  brush  turkey,  of  Australia,  New  Guinea  and  the  chain  of  islands  in  the  South 
Pacific  Ocean,  is  a  remarkable  bird.  In  the  months  of  August  and  September, 
when  there  is  scarcely  any  rain,  they  come  down  in  pairs  from  the  interior,  and 
scratch  holes  three  or  four  feet  deep,  just  above  high-water  mark,  where  the  female 
deposits  her  single  egg.  Covering  this  with  a  foot  of  sand,  she  goes  back  to  the 
forest.  Ten  or  twelve  days  later  she  makes  another  visit  and  lays  a  second  egg, 
continuing  until  six  or  eight  are  deposited.  The  male  bird  gives  his  help  in 
digging  the  hole  and  covering  the  egg,  the  two  birds  closely  resembling  each  other 
in  appearance.  Several  females  lay  in  the  same  hole.  The  natives  come  many 
miles  to  plunder  the  nests,  the  eggs  when  fresh  being  very  delicious,  and  they  are 
of  large  size.  The  parent  bird  gives  no  further  attention  to  them  after  covering 
them  up  in  the  sand.  The  young,  on  breaking  the  shell,  take  to  the  woods  at  once, 
and  are  able  to  fly  a  few  hours  after  hatching. 

The  scissors-bill  is  noted  for  its  long  and  compressed  beak,  the  under  mandible 
being  much  larger  than  the  upper,  and  closing  into  it  like  a  knife-blade  into  the 
handle.  Skimming  swiftly  over  the  water,  and  close  to  the  surface,  its  sharp  bill 
cuts  the  water,  gathering  up  crustaceans,  fish  and  mollusks,  on  which  it  feeds. 
Running  along  the  beach,  it  skillfully  inserts  its  beak  in  the  bivalves,  and,  striking 
the  shells  against  the  stones,  breaks  them  and  devours  the  contents. 

I  wish  I  could  procure  a  specimen  of  the  apteryx  of  New  Zealand,  called 
"kiwi"  by  the  natives,  who  are  fond  of  its  flesh.  It  keeps  out  of  sight  in  the  deep 
recesses  of  the  forest  until  night,  when  the  birds  come  forth  in  couples  to  search 
for  food,  which  is  readily  seen  in  the  darkness. 

The  natives  capture  it  by  imitating  its  whistling  cry.  They  say  the  bird  buries 
its  eggs  in  the  sand,  and  hatches  them  by  sitting  beneath,  instead  of  over  them. 
This  is  doubtful,  since  those  at  the  London  Zoological  Garden  hatch  them  in  the 
usual  fashion.  It  lays  one  egg  at  a  time  and  breeds  twice  a  year. 

The  pelican  is  found  in  North  Africa,  and  in  the  south  and  east  of  Europe.  I 
believe  it  is  the  largest  of  the  swimming  birds,  and  you  have  noticed  their  immense 
pouches,  some  of  which  can  be  dilated  enough  to  hold  two  gallons  of  water. 

The  eared  grebe  is  a  rare  British  bird.  It  is  a  fine  swimmer,  very  active  in  the 
water,  and  is  able  to  stay  a  long  time  under  the  surface,  where  it  swims  swiftly 
with  the  aid  of  its  wings  and  feet. 

The  adjutant  bird  belongs  to  India,  and  attains  a  height  of  six  feet,  its  extended 
wings  measuring  nearly  three  times  as  much,  from  tip  to  tip.  Its  head  and  neck 


COMMON  OCTOPUS. 


441 


442  DICK  BROWNELL'S  LAST  EXPLOIT  IN  INDIA. 

are  almost  bare,  a  sausage-like  pouch  hanging  from  the  under  part  of  its  neck, 
while  its  bill  is  enormous.  It  has  been  known  less  than  twenty-five  years  to 
naturalists.  The  upper  part  of  its  thighs  furnishes  plumes  more  beautiful  and 
valuable  than  those  of  the  ostrich,  and  its  voracity  is  almost  as  great. 

I  must  tell  you  something  here  about  the  octopus,  which  may  be  called  the 
gorilla  of  the  ocean.  It  grows  to  an  immense  size  along  some  coasts,  and  is  justly 
dreaded  by  the  most  experienced  fishermen. 

Its  usual  resting-place  is  under  a  huge  stone,  or  in  the  broad  cleft  of  a  rock, 
where  it  can  squeeze  itself  as  flat  as  a  sandal.  When  moving  about  it  uses  its 
eight  arms  as  paddles,  working  them  alternately,  while  the  central  disc  may  be 
regarded  as  a  boat.  You  would  think  this  an  awkward  means  of  locomotion,  but 
the  octopus  travels  easily  and  swiftly  over  the  sandy  bottoms,  climbs  the  slippery 
ledges,  or,  attaching  its  numerous  suckers  to  the  face  of  rocks,  moves  at  will  in  any 
direction. 

Besides  the  amazing  strength  of  the  creature,  and  the  fact  that  lopping  off  sev- 
eral of  its  huge  arms  or  feelers  does  not  affect  its  aggressiveness,  it  has  the  power 
of  numbing  its  victim.  The  deep  contains  many  hideous  creatures,  but  I  can  con- 
ceive of  none  more  dreadful  than  the  octopus. 

And  now  we  must  turn  our  attention  to  Jack  Harvey  and  Bob  Marshall's 
adventures  in  the  land  of  the  gorilla. 


CHAPTER  LXXVII. 

IN  THE  LAND  OF  THE  GORILLA. 


JACK   HARVEY    and 
Bob    Marshall    tarried 
at  Port  Natal   several 
days  after   the  depar- 
ture of  Mr.  Godkin  and 
Dick  Brownell  for  In- 
dia.    Finally  they  se- 
cured passage  to  Cape 
Town,  where,  after  an- 
other tedious  wait,  they 
shipped    in    a     Portu- 
guese vessel,  bound  for 
the  Gold  Coast,  the  cap- 
tain of  which,  for  a  gen- 
erous consideration,  agreed  to  run  into  the 
Gaboon  and  land  his  four  passengers ;  for 
our  friends  had  picked  up  a  couple  of  hunters 
bound  on  the  same  errand  as  themselves. 
I  should  have   told  you  that  Jack  and 
Bob,    having   become    satisfied   that  their 
ponies  would   be  valueless  in  the    gorilla 
country,  left  them  in  safe  hands  at  Cape 
Town.     The  Texan   would   not  part  with 
Apache  at  any  price,  and  Bob  had  formed 
so  strong  an  attachment  for  his  own   steed 
that  he  was  glad  of  the  prospect  of  seeing 
him  again. 

If  the  result  of  their  visit  to  Equatorial 

Africa  should  render  it  unnecessary  to  return  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope,  it  would 
be  a  simple  matter  to  send  for  the  horses  and  have  them  shipped  home. 

The  two  acquaintances  formed  on  the  ship  were  Englishmen  just  from  India, 
where  they  had  spent  a  couple  of  months  in  hunting,  and  proposed  to  wind  up  their 
sport  under  the  Equator. 

The  opening  experience  of  the  party  in  the  Gaboon  country  was  enough  to 
dampen  the  ardor  of  the  most  enthusiastic  of  sportsmen. 


443 


444 


IN    THE    LAND    OF    THE    GORILLA. 


The  Gaboon  was  found  to  resemble  an  arm  of  the  sea,  with  its  strong  salt  tides 
and  sluggish  current.  On  the  right  bank  was  the  French  fort,  somewhat  beyond  a 
village  of  English  factories,  and  behind  these,  on  a  hill  clothed  in  bright  green 
vegetation,  was  the  American  mission,  including  church,  school  and  houses. 

On  the  left  bank  rose  the  town  of  King  William,  sometimes  called  Roi  Denis. 
It  is  built  of  bamboo  and  is  the  metropolis  of  Gaboon.  Here  the  four  gorilla- 
hunters  landed  to  arrange  their  hunt  in  the  adjoining  jungles  for  that  extraordinary 
creature  which  has  never  yet  been  seen  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

When  the  party  came  ashore,  three  of  them  were  so  ill  that  they  were  compelled 
to  take  to  their  beds  at  once.  The  section  of  the  Dark  Continent  visited  by  them 
is  one  of  the  most  pestilential  regions  of  the  globe.  The  very  ground  exhales 
disease,  and  sea  captains  have  told  me  that  the  sickening  odor  of  the  malarious 
swamps  can  be  noticed  while  scores  of  miles  from  land. 

Jack  Harvey  was  the  only  one  that  was  entirely  well.  The  Texan  seemed  to  be 
climate-proof,  though  his  naturally  vigorous  constitution,  his  active  life  and  his 
freedom  from  bad  habits  doubtless  had  much  to  do  with  his  immunity,  and  besides 
he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  dose  himself  and  his  companions  with  a  preparation 
of  quinine  before  leaving  ship. 

The  American  missionary  at  King  William  was  the  good  Samaritan  to  those 
who  needed  his  kind  offices.  He  insisted  on  the  folks  taking  up  their  quarters  at 
his  house,  and  he  and  his  wife  could  not  have  been  kinder  to  their  own  children 
than  they  were  to  the  comparative  strangers. 

But  the  utmost  they  could  do  was  not  enough  to  save  the  Englishmen.  Both 
succumbed,  after  having  braved  all  other  forms  of  danger,  and  were  buried  in  that 
Jar-off  land,  thousands  of  miles  from  the  dear  ones  at  home,  victims  to  the  deadly 
climate  that  has  claimed  its  hundreds  of  thousands. 

For  days  and  nights  Bob  Marshall  hovered  on  the  verge  of  death  ;  but,  thanks 
to  Providence  and  good  nursing,  he  pulled  through,  and,  to  the  delight  of  Jack, 
finally  became  his  old,  lively,  high-spirited  self  again. 

Supposing  his  ardor  had  departed,  the  Texan  offered  to  send  him  home  and 
prosecute  the  task  without  him.  But,  as  you  may  suppose,  the  young  man  would 
not  hear  of  such  a  thing. 

"  I  came  here  to  hunt  gorillas,"  was  his  characteristic  reply,  "  and  I'll  do  it  or 
die." 

"  I  don't  think  you'll  die  after  what  you've  stood.  You  ain't  a  tenderfoot  any 
longer." 

"  All  I  ask  is  that  you  will  get  me  a  chance." 

The  friends  made  their  preparations  as  thorough  as  possible,  and  within  the 
following  week  attended  one  of  those  singular  ceremonies  known  in  that  country 
as  a  gorilla  dance. 

It  was  at  a  village  on  the  borders  of  the  immense  jungle  into  which  they 
intended  to  plunge  in  quest  of  the  marvelous  animal  for  which  I  stand  ready  to-day 
to  pay  almost  any  sum  of  money. 


IN    THE    LAND    OF    THE    GORILLA.  445 

The  two  natives  whom  Jack  engaged  to  accompany  him  were  known  respect- 
ively as  Gyp  and  Hargo.  They  were  in  middle  life,  dusky,  wrinkled,  homely,  half 
naked,  but  lithe  and  muscular.  Gyp,  the  elder,  bore  a  number  of  frightful  scars  on 
his  thigh  and  shoulder,  and  seemed  quite  proud  to  tell  his  employers  that  they  were 
gained  in  his  encounters  with  njinas,  as  the  gorillas  are  often  called. 

Gyp  and  Hargo  had  heard  the  cry  of  one  of  the  animals,  and  were  confident  of 
being  able  to  kill  him  on  the  morrow,  so  confident,  indeed,  that  they  and  their  friends 
arranged  to  anticipate  the  exploit  by  a  gorilla  dance. 


HEAD  OF  THE  GORILLA. 

It  was  in  the  structure  assigned  to  the  slaves  of  a  large  plantation  that  the  dance 
took  place.  Two  men  played  a  rude  drum  and  a  one-stringed  harp,  while  Gyp  ex- 
hibited the  grotesque  movements  of  the  gorilla. 

The  imitation  of  the  action  of  the  animal  when  alarmed,  when  attacking  its  prey, 
when  climbing  a  tree,  or  listening,  running,  leaping  or  eating,  was  so  perfect,  that 
it  startled  the  spectators,  who  learned  a  great  deal  of  the  habits  and  peculiarities  of 
the  terrible  creature  which  they  expected  soon  to  meet  in  its  native  wilds. 

And  now  before  telling  you  about  the  hunt,  let  me  give  you  some  information 
concerning  this  interacting  inhabitant  of  the  Dark  Continent. 


446  IN    THE    LAND    OF    THE    GORILLA. 

A  he  troglodytes  gorilla  is  the  largest  of  apes,  a  full-grown  male  sometimes 
reaching  the  height  of  six  feet.  It  is  found  in  the  same  geographical  area  as  the 
chimpanzee,  but  within  narrower  limits,  on  or  near  the  Equator.  Its  skin  is  jet 
black,  but  this  is  shown  only  on  the  face,  chest  and  the  palms  of  the  paws,  which 
are  devoid  of  the  iron-gray  hair  that  covers  the  rest  of  the  body. 

The  hair  is  two  inches  long,  growing  downward  on  the  main  arm  and  upward 
on  the  fore-arm.  The  males  always  have  their  heads  covered  with  short  and 
reddish-brown  hair,  the  females  not  gaining  this  ornamental  crown-piece  until  fully 
grown. 

The  hide  is  thick  and  tough,  except  under  the  arms  and  near  the  hips.  Both 
sexes  have  the  breast  bare,  and  some  of  the  older  ones  have  the  hair  worn  off  along 
the  spine  from  frequent  sitting  on  the  ground  with  their  backs  against  the  tree 
trunks. 

The  eyes  are  deeply  sunken  and  restless,  overhung  by  a  bony  ridge  which  gives 
the  face  a  most  forbidding  appearance  and  a  perpetual  scowl.  The  nose  is  more 
prominent  than  in  the  chimpanzee  or  orang-outan.  The  mouth  is  enormous,  the  lips 
large  and  of  uniform  thickness,  and  the  chin  short  and  receding.  The  canine  teeth 
in  the  male  resemble  tusks,  and  the  ears,  which  are  shaped  like  our  own,  are  much 
smaller  than  in  the  chimpanzee. 

The  upper  limbs  seem  disproportionately  large,  but  this  is  due  to  the  shortness 
of  the  lower  ones,  which  have  no  calves  and  increase  in  size  from  the  knee  to  the 
ankle. 

Strangely  enough,  the  main  arm  of  the  gorilla  is  longer  than  the  fore-arm,  and  the 
thumb  extends  beyond  the  first  joint  of  the  forefinger,  while  in  the  chimpanzee  and 
ape  it  does  not  reach  that  joint. 

The  hand  is  broad,  thick,  and  with  a  long  palm,  the  fingers  short,  tapering 
quickly  at  the  ends  to  the  nails,  which  are  about  the  size  of  our  own.  The  back  of 
the  hand  is  hairy  to  the  finger  divisions,  the  palm  bare  and  callous,  and  the  thumb 
hardly  as  thick  as  the  forefinger. 

The  chimpanzee  and  other  apes  make  less  use  of  the  sole  of  the  foot  in  walking 
than  the  gorilla,  and  the  great  toe  of  the  gorilla  is  stronger  than  in  those  animals, 
standing  out  like  a  large  thumb  from  the  rest  of  the  foot. 

The  gorilla  is  a  strict  vegetarian.  He  has  a  shuffling  gait,  never  upright  like 
ours,  but  bent  forward.  His  arms  being  longer  than  those  of  the  chimpanzee,  he 
does  not  stoop  as  much  in  walking,  but,  like  that  creature,  advances  by  pushing  his 
arms  forward,  resting  the  hands  on  the  ground  and  then  giving  the  body  a  motion 
which  is  partly  a  jump  and  partly  a  swing.  In  doing  this  he  does  not  bend  his 
fingers,  but  uses  the  hand  as  a  fulcrum. 

If  you  should  come  upon  the  trail  of  £  gorilla  running  on  all  fours,  you  would 
not  see  any  trace  of  the  marks  of  the  hind  feet.  Only  the  bs.J-  -<f  the  foot  and  the 
great  toe  appear  to  touch,  and  the  fingers  of  the  fore-arm  are  u^  :^.y  marked  on  the 
earth. 

The  power  of  the   gorilla  is  prodigious.     Those  tremendous  jaws  can  crush  an 


IN    THE    LAND    OF    THE    GORILLA.  447 

ordinary  gun-barrel,  and  the  arms  will  bend  the  weapon  as  though  it  were  putty. 
When  enraged,  the  thin,  black  lips  shrink  so  that  all  his  teeth  are  visible,  gleaming 
unnaturally  white  in  the  vast  mouth,  which  is  as  red  as  blood. 

The  shoulders  are  broad,  and  the  hideous  head  is  placed  upon  them  without  the 
intervention  of  a  neck.  The  abdomen  is  very  large  and  rounding  at  the  sides.  You 
may  gain  some  idea  of  the  capacity  of  the  immense  hand  when  told  that  the  middle 
finger  has  been  found  in  some  gorillas  to  be  more  than  six  inches  in  circumference 
at  the  first  joint. 

Strange  stories  were  told  by  the  early  navigators  of  a  fearful  object  seen  on  the 
west  coast  of  Africa,  whose  description  leaves  little  doubt  that  he  was  the  animal 
since  known  as  the  gorilla.  In  1847,  Rev.  J.  L.  Wilson,  senior  missionary  of  the 
American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions  to  West  Africa,  obtained  from  some  of  the 
natives  on  Gaboon  River  a  number  of  skulls  of  a  monkey-like  creature,  noted  for 
its  size  and  ferocity.  These  were  turned  over  to  Dr.  Thomas  S.  Savage,  a  member 
of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  and  were  minutely  described  by  Dr. 
Wyman,  Professor  of  Anatomy  in  Harvard  University. 

When  the  male  is  first  seen  he  utters  a  frightful  yell  that  resounds  through  the 
forest  something  like  "  kh-ah  !  kh-ah  !  "  His  huge  jaws  are  wide  open,  his  under 
lip  hangs  over  his  chin,  and  his  hairy  ridge  and  scalp  are  contracted  upon  the  brow, 
giving  his  front  an  appearance  of  indescribable  ferocity. 

The  gorillas  generally  live  in  bands,  the  females  outnumbering  the  males.  Their 
dwellings  hardly  merit  the  name,  consisting  of  a  few  sticks  and  leafy  branches,  sup- 
ported by  the  limbs  of  trees.  The  natives  say  the  gorilla  is  a  fool,  for,  though  he 
lives  where  the  annual  rain-fall  is  great,  he  doesn't  know  enough  to  place  a  roof  on 
his  house. 

There  is  a  bird  in  Equatorial  Africa  which,  if  it  chose,  could  give  him  many 
points  on  how  to  construct  a  comfortable  home ;  for,  after  making  a  large  nest  with 
a  tight  roof,  it  daubs  it  with  mud  on  the  inside,  and,  unfolding  its  wings,  whirls 
round  and  round  until  every  crevice  is  filled  and  the  inside  is  as  smoothly  plastered 
as  your  own  house. 


CHAPTER  LXXVIII. 

ON   THE   EDGE    OF   THE   POOL. 

IN  the  gloomiest  depths  of  the 
pestilential  jungles  of  Equatorial 
Africa,  where  eternal  twilight 


DISCOURAGED. 


y\i  reigns,  and  the  intolerable  rays  oi 
the  flaming  sun  can  never  penetrate, 
the  gorilla-hunters  halted  one  fore- 
noon, and,  sitting  down  on  a  fallen 
tree,  almost  hidden  from  sight  by 

148 


ON    THE    EDGE    OF   THE    POOL.  449 

suffocating  vines,  discussed  the  business  that  had  brought  them  thither,  far  beyond 
all  human  habitations.  The  ardor  with  which  the  sportsmen  had  entered  upon  the 
task  was  somewhat  dampened  by  hope  deferred,  for  this  was  the  second  day  of  the 
hunt,  and,  in  the  face  of  the  promises  of  Gyp  and  Hargo,  they  had  not  yet  caught 
sight  of  the  first  gorilla. 

This  was  the  more  trying  since  they  had  approached  nigh  enough  several  times 
to  hear  the  animals,  and  to  detect  unmistakable  signs  of  their  presence  very  near 
them.  They  saw  the  spoor  of  a  large  male,  and  came  upon  a  spot  which,  it  may  be 
said,  was  still  warm  from  the  recent  visit  of  a  female  and  her  young,  that  had  been 
engaged  in  eating  a  species  of  berry  growing  close  to  the  ground  and  of  which  the 
creature  is  extremely  fond. 

The  knowledge  that  they  were  close  to  the  animals,  I  think,  must  have  made  the 
hunters  so  eager  to  get  a  shot  that  they  failed  to  exercise  the  precaution  indispen- 
sable in  approaching  them.  The  gorilla  is  wonderfully  alert,  and  many  a  skillful 
hunter  has  been  baffled  again  and  again  until  compelled  to  give  up  in  despair. 

The  natives,  being  experienced  in  hunting  the  animals,  were  armed  the  same  as 
Jack  and  Bob.  That  is  to  say,  they  were  provided  with  guns,  though  of  the  old- 
fashioned  pattern,  being  single-barreled  muzzle-loaders,  carrying  large  balls  and 
capable  of  doing  effective  execution  when  rightly  handled.  The  Texan  would  have 
been  glad  to  furnish  them  with  repeating  rifles,  but  that  was  impossible,  and  the 
blacks  were  contented  with  their  own  fire-arms,  in  which  their  faith  was  as  un- 
bounded as  that  of  the  whites  in  their  magazine  weapons. 

Gyp  and  Hargo  had  been  associated  with  Europeans  long  enough  to  speak  the 
English  language  tolerably  well,  though  they  were  little  inclined  to  conversation. 
They  sat  on  the  log,  silent  and  glum,  while  Bob  and  Jack  did  about  all  the  talking. 

The  natives  appeared  to  feel  the  disappointment  as  much  as  their  employers, 
and,  though  they  may  have  seen  that  the  failure  was  due  to  the  ardor  of  the  gen- 
tlemen, they  were  too  thoughtful  to  say  so.  Probably  they  were  convinced  that 
Jack  and  Bob  suspected  it  themselves  and  would  remedy  the  fault. 

The  Texan  was  armed  as  when  careering  over  the  pampas  of  Bechuana  Land, 
on  the  back  of  his  fleet-footed  Apache,  carrying  not  only  his  Winchester,  two 
revolvers  and  a  knife,  but  his  valued  lasso  as  well.  It  was  slung  over  his  left 
shoulder,  and,  accustomed  as  he  was  to  riding  his  mustang,  he  found  the  task  of 
tramping  through  the  dense  jungle  laborious,  but  he  clung  to  the  rawhide,  confi- 
dent that  he  would  find  use  for  it  before  his  return. 

Gyp  was  provided  with  a  strong  net,  extremely  useful  in  flinging  over  the  heads 
of  young  animals  when  they  proved  vigorous  enough  to  use  their  teeth  and  claws. 
He  declared  that  it  had  been  employed  in  capturing  snakes  and  gorillas,  though 
the  Texan  believed  the  fellow  was  addicted  to  drawing  the  long  bow  in  the  story 
line. 

Through  the  interstices  of  the  dense  vegetation  by  which  they  were  enveloped, 
could  be  seen  the  shimmer  of  water.  It  was  a  large,  stagnant  pool,  covering  sev- 
eral acres,  and  while  more  than  one  tiny  stream  wound  its  way  into  it,  it  was  with' 

29 


ON   THE    EDGE    OF   THE    POOL. 

out  any  outlet,  so  far  as  the  hunters  could  discover.  It  may  have  been  that  in  such 
a  smothering  climate  the  evaporation  prevented  all  overflow,  and  rendered  any 
outlet  unnecessary.  It  was  on  the  banks  of  this  pool  that  the  party  had  seen  proof 
of  the  recent  presence  of  gorillas.  The  hunters  made  its  entire  circuit,  climbing  over 
rotting  trees  that  lay  half  imbedded  in  the  mud  and  water,  with  rank  vegetation 
growing  around  them,  slimy  serpents  hardly  caring  enough  for  the  intruders  to  crawl 
out  of  their  path,  and  with  here  and  there  some  gaunt,  long-legged  bird  of  brilliant 
plumage,  standing  in  the  edge  of  the  lake,  lazily  waiting  for  its  victim  to  come  nigh 
enough  to  be  gobbled  into  its  capacious  maw,  which  never  seemed  to  be  filled. 

"  I  don't  understand,"  said  Bob  Marshall,  "  how  it  is  that  such  a  formidable 
animal  as  the  gorilla,  and  one  that  is  said  to  be  afraid  of  no  living  creature,  shows 
such  timidity  about  meeting  us." 

"  I  don't  know  of  any  game  that  will  not  avoid  man,"  replied  Jack,  "  but  we 
know  some  of  them  will  fight  like  all  creation  when  they  meet  us  face  to  face." 

"  Mr.  Godkin  said  that  the  tiger  of  India  will  often  hunt  those  who  are  not 
hunting  him,"  said  Bob,  "but  then  we  don't  find  tigers  in  Africa." 

"So  will  the  Apache,"  added  the  Texan  with  a  grim  smile,  "but,  as  a  rule,  the 
biggest  kind  of  game  prefers  to  give  us  a  wide  berth." 

"  There's  one  thing  certain  ;  we  are  in  the  heart  of  the  gorilla  country,  and  there 
is  no  reason  why  we  shouldn't  run  against  plenty  of  them." 

"  I've  been  thinking,"  added  Jack,  after  smoking  his  pipe  a  minute  or  two  in 
silence,  "whether  it  wouldn't  be  a  good  plan  to  do  as  we  sometimes  did  down  in 
South  Africa." 

"  How  is  that  ?  " 

"  Separate ;  you  take  one  course,  I  another,  while  Gyp  and  Hargo  keep  together." 

"  I  was  on  the  point  of  proposing  it  when  we  first  sat  down  on  the  log,"  said 
Bob,  "  but  I  was  afraid  you  would  think  it  too  dangerous." 

"  Dangerous  for  what  ?     The  game  ?  " 

"  No  ;  for  us." 

"  I  suppose  there  would  be  a  little  more  risk,  but  then,  you  ain't  afraid  to  try  it, 
are  you  ?  " 

"Nothing  will  suit  me  better." 

"  Then  it  shall  be  done.  Howsumever,  the  only  thing  that  I  fear  is  that  we 
may  get  lost  from  each  other.  This  is  a  confounded  country,  without  any  roads, 
paths,  openings,  houses  or  anything  that  can  serve  as  landmarks." 

"  We  had  enough  experience  in  South  Africa  to  know  how  to  avoid  such  a 
blunder.  Besides,  we  can  signal  to  each  other,  either  by  firing  our  guns  or 
whistling." 

Bob's  urgency  removed  whatever  misgivings  the  Texan  may  have  had  in  mind, 
and  it  was  agreed  that,  after  a  brief  rest,  the  proposal  should  be  adopted.  It  was 
explained  to  Gyp,  who  exercised  some  kind  of  authority  over  Hargo,  and  he  nodded 
his  head,  though  it  was  impossible  to  tell  from  his  manner  whether  he  favored  the 
plan  or  not. 


CROCODILE  AND  YOUNG. 


452  ON   THE    EDGE    OF   THE    POOL. 

"The  understanding  had  better  be,"  added  Jack,  "that  whenever  any  one  of  us 
hears  a  gun  go  off,  he  is  to  make  all  haste  to  that  point ;  not  because  help  may  be 
needed  to  escape  danger,  but  to  gather  in  the  beast,  whatever  it  may  be." 

"That  is,  if  I  run  against  a  big  male  gorilla  and  shoot  him,  you  will  know  that 
you  and  the  natives  are  wanted  at  once." 

"  Of  course ;  we  can't  capture  one  of  those  six-foot  chaps  any  more  than  we 
could  capture  an  African  buffalo  or  an  East  India  tiger ;  but,  wherever  we  may 
find  the  male,  the  female  is  pretty  apt  to  be  in  the  neighborhood,  and,  if  she  has  a 
young  one  with  her,  the  job  of  managing  the  two  will  be  too  big  for  any  one  of  us." 

"You  are  talking  sense ;  let  us  be  sure  that  Gyp  and  Hargo  catch  on." 

It  was  easy  to  make  them  comprehend,  and,  since  the  two  tired  ones  were  pretty 
well  rested  by  this  time,  Bob  suggested  that  the  hunt  be  resumed. 

But,  at  the  moment  he  moved  to  rise  from  the  fallen  tree,  Gyp  held  up  his  hand 
and  uttered  a  warning  "  Sh  !  "  which  caused  the  others  to  look  silently  at  him 
and  listen. 

Without  speaking,  the  native  pointed  with  his  finger  to  the  left  of  the  pool, 
which,  you  will  remember,  was  partly  in  view  of  the  hunters. 

It  was  at  this  juncture  that  all  caught  a  faint  rustling  of  the  undergrowth,  such 
as  might  have  been  made  by  the  stealthy  passage  of  a  bird  among  the  vegetation. 
Faint  as  it  was,  the  hunters  were  able  to  locate  it  without  the  guidance  of  the  dusky 
finger,  which  continued  for  several  seconds  to  point  at  the  spot. 

Suddenly  every  heart  stood  still,  for  they  saw  dimly,  through  thv  enveloping 
bushes,  vines  and  leaves,  a  gigantic  figure  moving  toward  the  pool.  Ks  back  was 
bent  forward  and  its  short  legs  doubled  under  the  immense  hairy  body,  while  the 
long,  dusky  arms  reached  to  the  ground,  the  hands  being  partly  used  to  help  in 
locomotion. 

"  It's  a  gorilla,  sure  enough  ! "  whispered  Bob,  turning  pale  with  excitement. 

Jack  raised  his  hand  warningly,  but"  did  not  speak. 

As  the  six-foot  terror  approached  the  pool,  he  came  into  plainer  view  and  was 
so  nigh  that  the  least  noise  on  the  part  of  any  one  of  the  party  would  have  alarmed 
him.  Bob  made  a  motion  as  if  to  raise  his  rifle  and  looked  inquiringly  at  Jack.  The 
Texan  shook  his  head:  the  time  had  not  arrived  for  shooting.  He  wished  to  wait 
and  see  whether  the  mother  and  perhaps  her  offspring  did  not  show  themselves. 

At  the  moment  the  gorilla  reached  the  edge  of  the  water,  the  hunters  became 
aware  of  a  fact  unknown  till  then. 

On  the  edge  of  the  pool  lay  an  enormous  crocodile,  with  his  long,  corrugated 
head  and  snout  resting  on  the  bank  and  his  body  in  the  stagnant  water.  His  size 
was  revealed  by  several  protuberances  of  his  spine,  showing  here  and  there  above 
the  surface,  while,  seemingly  twenty  feet  beyond,  the  water  was  agitated  by  an  oc- 
casional motion  of  his  tail. 

It  was  evident  that  the  two  had  seen  each  other  while  some  distance  separated 
them.  Indeed,  it  looked  as  if  the  gorilla  had  come  forth  with  the  purpose  of  raisiner  a 
rumpus  with  the  saurian. 


ON  THE  EDGE  OF  THE  POOL.  453 

The  sportsmen  were  so  anxious  to  witness  this  impending  battle,  that  they  rose 
to  their  feet,  and  silently  took  positions  behind  the  nearest  trees,  from  which  they 
peeped  forth  with  the  stealth  of  so  many  Indians. 

Had  not  the  gorilla  been  exclusively  interested  in  the  crocodile,  it  is  more  than 
likely  he  would  have  detected  the  hunters  near  him,  but  he  looked  neither  to  the 
right  nor  left,  keeping  his  small  black  eyes  fixed  on  the  reptile,  which  was  one  of 
the  largest  of  its  species. 

It  was  clear  that  neither  of  the  combatants,  so  different  in  every  respect,  felt  the 
slighest  fear  of  the  other,  though  their  mutual  respect  led  each  to  maneuver  with 
great  caution. 

The  gorilla  stopped  about  a  rod  distant  and  looked  at  the  crocodile  as  if  to  ask 
him  his  intentions.  The  latter  did  not  move,  except  to  shift  his  tail  slightly. 

This  clearly  was  done  with  a  view  of  holding  it  in  readiness  to  deliver  one  of 
those  blows  which  are  tremendous  enough  to  smash  the  ribs  of  an  elephant,  though 
the  jaws  of  the  reptile  are  often  the  most  fearful  weapons  that  can  be  employed  in 
battle. 


CHAPTER  LXXIX. 

A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 

''HE  crocodile  and  gorilla  are  two  of  the  most  ferocious  members  of  the  animal 
kingdom.  Both  stand  low  on  the  plane  of  intelligence,  but  each  possesses  a 
certain  cunning  which  enables  him  to  use  his  prodigious  strength  to  the  best 
possible  advantage.  Had  they  been  endowed  with  the  brains  of  the  elephant,  they 
could  not  have  made  a  better  fight  than  they  did. 

Bending  slightly  forward,  the  gorilla  indulged  in  some  odd  grimacing  motions, 
much  like  those  of  the  ordinary  monkey,  and  which  were  meant  to  tantalize  the 
crocodile  into  coming  forth  and  assailing  him. 

But  the  huge  reptile  knew  better  than  to  do  that,  though  it  is  hard  to  see  wherein 
it  would  have  added  to  its  danger.  He  preferred  the  water  and  mud,  where  he 
could  use  his  peculiar  means  of  fighting  better  than  on  land. 

The  gorilla  kept  up  his  taunts  for  a  minute  or  two,  and  then  walked  lightly 
toward  the  crocodile,  as  if  he  intended  to  attack  in  front.  The  reptile  did  not  stir, 
but  you  may  be  sure  he  kept  his  gaze  on  his  enemy. 

If  the  animal  opened  the  battle  in  the  style  he  seemed  to  intend,  the  jaws  of  the 
defender  would  bring  it  to  a  quick  conclusion. 

Uttering  his  cry  in  a  half-suppressed  voice,  the  gorilla  made  a  leap  forward,  as 
if  to  alight  on  the  snout  of  the  other.  Instantly  those  jaws  opened  like  a  vast  steel 
trap,  and,  had  the  gorilla  made  the  bound  that  he  really  appeared  to  have  started 
upon,  he  would  have  been  caught  in  a  vise  from  which  ten  times  his  power  would 
not  have  extricated  him. 

But,  with  inimitable  dexterity,  the  animal  turned  himself  to  one  side  and  leaped 
backward,  eluding  the  mouth,  which  snapped  shut  with  a  sound  that  startled  the 
spectators. 

Hardly  had  the  gorilla  jumped  when  the  crocodile  doubled  himself  sideways, 
and  his  great  tail  made  a  terrific  sweep,  like  that  of  a  scythe  in  the  hands  of  a 
giant.  It  whizzed  over  the  ground  where  the  gorilla  was  standing,  but  did  not  hit 
him. 

He  bounded  into  the  air  with  a  nimbleness  that  could  not  have  been  surpassed, 
and  the  next  moment  did  a  thing  so  incredible  that  the  hunters  could  hardly  believe 
their  eyes. 

The  crocodile  knew  he  was  going  to  miss  before  his  furious  blow  was  delivered, 
and,  with  astonishing  agility,  he  wheeled  with  open  jaws  to  seize  the  exasperating 
enemy  ;  but  the  same  dexterity  that  had  saved  the  latter  an  instant  before  did  not  fail 
him  now.  He  darted  like  a  flash  to  the  left,  then  sprang  directly  upon  the  back  of 
the  saurian,  a^d,  bending  over,  grasped  his  forelegs. 

454 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 


455 


One  was  seized  in  either  hand, 
and,  summoning  his  Samson-like 
strength,  he  leaned  backward  and 
jerked  with  might  and  main. 

The  spectators  heard  the  bones 
crack,  and  they  knew  that  both  the 
crocodile's  legs  were  broken  like  a 
couple  of  pipe-stems. 

The  reptile  struggled  fiercely, 
lashing  his  tail,  contorting  his  body 
and  snapping  his  jaws  in  a  way  that 
seemed  impossible  in  one  so  griev- 
ously wounded.  But  his  struggles 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 

were  those  of  blind  fury,  and  the  useless  dangling  forelimbs  interfered  fatally 
with  anything  like  successful  fighting. 

"By  gracious  !  he's  got  him  !  "  exclaimed  Bob  Marshall,  stepping  from  behind 
the  tree  in  his  excitement. 

"What  do  you  mean?  "  asked  Jack,  hardly  less  agitated. 

"I  mean  the  crocodile  has  got  the  gorilla." 

"How  do  you  make  that  out?  " 


HEAD  OF  THE  CHIMPANZEE. 

"Didn't  you  see  him  fall  on  the  other  side  of  him?  The  crocodile  has  him 
under  his  body  and  is  hammering  the  life  out  of  him?  " 

"No  —  no  —  no  —  not  so,"  said  Gyp,  as  he  and  Hargo  ran  forward  with  the 
others,  for  he  had  seen  what  escaped  their  eyes. 

Dashing  as  close  to  the  floundering  reptile  as  was  safe,  Bob'and  Jack  looked  for 
the  bruised  gorilla  weakly  struggling  under  the  threshing  body;  but  he  was  not 
visible. 

"  He  must  have  him  down  in  the  mud  and  water  out  of  sight,"  remarked  the 
puzzled  lad. 

At  that  instant  came  the  frightful  " kh  —  ah!  kh  —  ah!"  from  the  other  side  of 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 


457 


CHIMPANZEES. 


the  pool,  and  the  amazed  sportsmen  looked  up  in  time  to  catch  sight  of  the  gorilla 
as  he  vanished  in  the  jungle. 

Our  friends  stared  at  each  other  in  astonishment. 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 

"  Well,  I'll  be  hanged  !  "  muttered  the  Texan,  who  was  the  first  to  recover  his 
voice. 

"  He  has  given  us  the  slip  again,"  was  the  disappointed  response  of  Bob;  "  how 
did  he  do  it?" 

Gyp  was  the  only  one  that  could  explain  it. 

No  doubt  that  at  the  moment  the  gorilla  broke  the  legs  of  the  crocodile,  he 
discovered  the  presence  of  the  hunters  in  the  wood  near  him.  But  for  that,  he 
would  have  kept  up  the  fight  with  his  antagonist,  but,  with  a  cunning  natural  to  the 
creature,  he  flung  himself  on  the  farther  side  of  the  saurian,  and,  using  his  shield  as 
a  screen,  darted  behind  the  nearest  bushes  on  the  edge  of  the  pool.  Along  the 
water  he  skurried  swiftly,  his  body  being  invisible  until  he  rose  erect  on  the  farther 
side,  emitted  his  resounding  cry  and  disappeared. 

Gyp  suspected  the  meaning  of  the  creature's  sudden  leap  behind  the  body  of 
the  reptile,  but  it  was  executed  with  such  extraordinary  deftness  that  it  could  not 
be  frustrated. 

Out  of  mercy  for  the  wounded  reptile,  Jack  Harvey  brought  his  gun  to  his  shoul- 
der and  sent  a  bullet  into  one  of  the  eyes,  following  it  the  next  instant  with  another 
just  back  of  the  foreleg.  Five  minutes  later  the  crocodile  was  dead. 

It  was  an  exasperating  disappointment  to  the  hunters,  when  they  had  had  the  im- 
mense gorilla  at  their  mercy,  but  they  were  too  philosophical  to  waste  any  time 
in  useless  laments. 

"  I  don't  believe  we  shail  ever  see  him  again ;  he  has  had  a  good  sight  of  us, 
and  will  be  sure  to  keep  his  family  out  of  the  way,"  said  Jack. 

"What  good,  then,  would  it  have  done  to  shoot  him?  " 

"It  might  have  brought  the  mother  from  the  wood  with  her  young,  and  it  would 
have  been  easy  enough  to  dispose  of  her  and  capture  her  offspring,  if  it  wasn't  too 
big." 

"There's  another  fact  against  us,"  said  Bob;  "the  gorilla  is  such  a  big  eater 
that  he  cannot  subsist  long  in  one  place,  and  this  fellow  would  have  been  likely  to 
change  his  quarters,  even  if  he  hadn't  seen  us." 

"  Where  is  Gyp  ?  "  suddenly  asked  Jack,  looking  around. 

"He  go  —  soon  be  back  —  he  look,"  replied  Hargo,  with  a  number  of  grimaces 
and  gestures. 

A  minute  later  the  well-known  whistle  of  the  African  was  heard  from  the  other 
side  of  the  pool  and  near  the  spot  where  the  gorilla  was  last  seen.  As  his  friends 
looked,  Gyp  appeared  and  beckoned  them  to  approach. 

"  I  wonder  what's  up  now,"  said  Bob,  as  the  three  hurriedly  tramped  through 
the  jungle  to  where  their  servant  was  awaiting  them. 

"  Have  you  found  him  ?  "  eagerly  asked  the  youth,  in  an  undertone,  the  instant 
they  joined  the  other. 

Gyp  motioned  them  to  follow  him  silently,  adding,  in  a  whisper : 

"Don't  talk  —  walk  slow  —  keep  eyes  open." 

It  seemed  incredible  that  Gyp  by  any  possible  means  should  have  gained  sight 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 


459 


of  the  gorilla  or  any  member  of  his  family,  for  there  could  be  no  question  that  the 
animal  had  discovered  the  hunters,  and  it  was  contrary  to  his  nature  to  remain  in 
the  vicinity  or  allow  any  of  his  relatives  to  do  so. 

It  was  not  the  gorilla  that  Gyp  had  detected,  but  a  creature  almost  as  interesting. 

The  genus  troglodytes  contains  only  two  species — that  upon  which  our  friends 
had  just  looked,  and  the  chimpanzee,  which  is  the  troglodytes  niger.  The  adult 
male  of  the  latter  is  about  five  feet  in  height,  and  is  much  less  powerful  than  the 
gorilla,  with  which  it  lives  at  peace  in  the  jungle. 


H2AD    OF    THE   GORILLA,    FRONT   VlEW, 

The  skin  is  of  a  yellowish  white  tint,  scantily  covered  with  long  black  hair  in 
front  and  more  behind.  The  hair  on  the  head  is  rather  thin,  being  thickest  on  the 
forehead,  with  a  few  stiff  hairs  on  the  eyebrows  and  with  a  scanty  eyelash.  The 
face  is  naked  and  the  skin  whitish  and  wrinkled. 

The  ears  are  exactly  like  those  of  a  man,  but  very  prominent  and  much  larger  pro- 
portionately than  the  gorilla's.  The  nose  doesn't  amount  to  anything,  appearing  to 
be  more  of  a  depression  than  a  projection.  The  nostrils  open  upward  and  the 
jaws  protrude  excessively.  The  mouth  is  wide,  the  lips  thin  and  lacking  that  recur- 
vation  that  gives  so  much  expression  to  our  countenances.  The  spread  of  the 


460 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE. 


shoulders  is  plainly  seen,  the  body  decreasing  rapidly  from  the  lower  limbs  to  the  loins. 
The  thumb  is  the  smallest  of  the  fingers,  and  the  foot  closely  resembles  the  human  hand 
I  am  quite  sure  that  many  of  my  readers  have  seen  a  chimpanzee,  as  I  have  had 
them  for  years  in  my  show.  It  is  of  one  of  these  that  I  am  now  giving  the  history. 
Thousands  of  visitors  to  Central  Park,  New  York  City,  have  been  interested  in  the 
two  chimpanzees  there.  The  male  was  christened  "  Mr.  Crowley,"  and  the  female 
"Miss  Kitty."  They  are  very  cunning  and  amusing.  "Crowley"  was  taken 
down  with  pneumonia  (to  which  the  chimpanzee  appears  to  be  particularly  subject) 
during  the  past  winter  (1887-8),  and  for  several  days  his  life  was  despaired  of.  I 
took  a  look  at  him  while  he  lay  motionless  and  suffering,  and  saw  that  there  was 


THE  CHIMPANZEE. 

little  hope  for  the  poor  fellow ;  but  he  had  the  best  of  nursing,  and  in  this  month  of 
April,  1888,  is  as  frolicsome  and  bright  as  ever.  I  have  always  had  strange  feelings 
when  looking  into  the  bright,  human-like  eyes  of  the  chimpanzee,  for  there  seems  to 
be  something  there  which  is  visible  in  no  other  being  except  those  belonging  to  our 
own  species.  Some  of  their  performances,  too,  display  so  much  intelligence  and 
such  a  close  resemblance  to  our  own  actions  as  to  be  startling. 

The  chimpanzee  prefers  a  hilly  country  with  intervening  valleys.  The  edible 
fruits  are  abundant,  and  they  gather  the  pine-apple,  banana,  and  a  species  of  plant- 
ain, and  the  papaw,  of  which  they  are  extremely  fond. 

You  should  bear  in  mind  that  it  takes  the  chimpanzee  eight  or  ten  years  to  at- 


A    STRANGE    BATTLE.  461 

tain  his  full  height,  so  that  those  that  you  have  seen  and  studied  with  so  much  inter- 
est were,  no  doubt,  still  growing. 

The  first  chimpanzees  ever  brought  to  Europe  alive  were  "  Nip  "  and  "  Tuck," 
exhibited  at  the  Aquarium  in  London. 

The  stories  of  this  interesting  animal  are  almost  as  numerous  and  extravagant 
as  those  of  the  gorilla.  Living  in  the  same  country,  belonging  to  the  same  genus, 
sharing  some  of  the  most  marked  characteristics  with  him,  it  was  only  natural  that 
the  accounts  brought  back  by  explorers  should  be  as  devoid  of  truth  in  many 
respects,  when  applied  to  the  chimpanzee,  as  were  those  related  of  his  gigantic 
brother,  the  gorilla. 


CHAPTER  LXXX. 

A     BATTLE     OF     GIANTS. 

,J  YP  explained  that  a  female  chimpanzee  with  a  single  young  one  was  eating 

IF|H     a  species  of  berry  a  short  distance  off  among  the  undergrowth.     He  had 

r^      caught  only  a  glimpse  of  them,  but  they  were  unaware  of  his  presence,  and 

he  believed  that,  by  using  care,  they  could  capture  the  little  one.     It  was  probable 

that  the  male  was  not  far  off,  though  the  native  had  not  seen  him. 

The  plan  of  the  hunters  was  simple.  They  were  to  separate  and  surround  the 
animals  before  showing  themselves.  Gyp  would  take  station  behind  a  tree,  while 
his  companions  started  the  couple  toward  him.  Then  he  would  have  to  exercise 
his  skill  in  flinging  the  net  over  the  intended  victim. 

Pausing  only  long  enough  to  make  sure  the  scheme  was  understood  by  all,  the 
hunters  immediately  parted  company,  each  falling  back  so  far  that  he  was  sure  of 
being  out  of  sight  of  the  chimpanzees  until  he  should  begin  closing  in  upon  them. 

This  movement  was  pressed  with  so  much  care,  that  a  half  hour  passed  before 
our  friends  commenced  to  draw  in  their  lines.  Unable  to  see  each  other,  their 
actions  were  governed  by  signals,  so  skillfully  emitted  that  no  ears  except  those  for 
which  they  were  intended  read  their  meaning. 

Bob  Marshall  was  the  first  to  catch  sight  of  the  creatures,  and  his  heart  gave  a 
throb  of  pleasure  when  he  saw  the  comical  mother  plucking  the  small,  crimson 
berries,  while  her  offspring  frolicked  around  her  like  a  kitten.  Some  of  the  antics 
of  the  latter  were  so  comical  that  Bob  could  not  help  smiling.  While  the  mother 
was  gathering  the  fruit  her  offspring  would  jump  upon  her  back,  skurry  up  her 
shoulders,  and  hop  from  her  crown  before  she  could  give  it  a  cuff  with  her  paw. 

Catching  the  signal,  the  youth  stepped  forward  with  a  rustling  that  caused  the 
mother  instantly  to  stop  eating  and  look  up.  Seeing  the  strange  figure,  she  uttered 
a  sharp,  warning  cry  and  scampered  off  in  an  opposite  direction,  taking  care,  how- 
ever, that  her  pace  was  so  graduated  that  she  did  not  pass  beyond  her  progeny. 

Unfortunately  for  the  couple,  their  course  led  them  straight  for  the  tree  where 
fate  in  the  form  of  Gyp  was  awaiting  them.  The  situations  of  Hargo  and  Jack 
Harvey  gave  them  a  view  of  what  was  going  on,  but  they  did  not  expose  themselves, 
since  the  creatures  were  going  right,  and  it  would  have  been  imprudent  to  interfere. 

Bob  followed  at  such  a  leisurely  pace  that  in  a  minute  or  two  he  had  fallen 
almost  out  of  sight  of  the  game.  The  mother  continued  hopping  and  running  un- 
til she  had  placed  herself  a  long  way  in  front.  Then,  as  if  to  learn  whether  she 
was  still  pursued,  she  stopped  and  looked  around,  chattering  and  frightened.  Her 
little  one,  too  young  to  understand  their  peril,  frisked  about  like  a  puppy  so  fulj 
of  life  that  it  cannot  keep  still. 

462 


A   BATTLE    OF    GIANTS. 


463 


It  so  happened  that  at  this  moment  they  were  within  ten  feet  of  the  tree  be- 
hind which  the  black-eyed  native  was  furtively  watching  their  movements.  Hardly 
was  the  halt  made  when  Gyp  leaped  noiselessly  from  his  hiding-place,  and,  flinging 
the  net  with  the  skill  of  Jack  Harvey,  landed  it  directly  over  the  head  and 
shoulders  of  the  little  one.  The  latter 
uttered  a  series  of  odd  squeaks  and 
squeals,  and  struggled  like  a  wild  cat; 
but  it  was  fast,  and  every  effort  only  ren- 
dered its  entanglement  more  certain. 

The    mother's   affection    gave   her  a 
courage   which    she    never    could   have 
possessed  at  any  other  time.     She  flew 
fiercely  at  the  African,  but  he  expected 
it,  and,  paying  no  heed  to  her  frantic 
attack  until  sure  the  little  one 
was  secure,  he  whirled  about, 
and  with  a  quick  sweep  of  his 
long  knife  ended  her  career. 

At  this  moment  the  other 
hunters  ran  forward,  and  gath- 
ered around  the  captive  in  no 
little  excitement. 

"Look  out  for  the  male," 
said  Bob,  the  most  flurried  of 
all ;  "  he's  an  uglier  customer 
than  the  mother." 

It  was  singular  that  the  head 
of  the  family  did  not  show  him- 
self, for  he  ought  to  have  been  near  at  hand.     Per- 
haps he  did  take  a  sly  peep  at  the  scene  from  some 
safe  hiding-place,  and  was  wise  enough  to  know  it 

would  be   fatal  for  him  to  interfere.      Be  that  as  it  may,  nothing  was  seen  of 
him  from  first  to  last. 

The  captive  proved  less  troublesome  than  would  be  supposed.  It  was  a  male, 
several  months  old,  possessed  of  considerable  activity,  and  for  a  time  he  made  a 
brave  fight,  biting  at  the  hands  which  persisted  in  keeping  the  netting  over  his 
head  and  about  his  body,  and  uttering  his  odd  cries  of  distress. 

Before  long,  however,  he  exhausted  himself  and  became  quiescent.  His  captors 
managed  to  prevent  the  little  one  seeing  the  inanimate  mother,  quickly  removing 
him  from  the  spot.  He  was  too  young  to  realize  his  loss,  and,  though  he  doubtless 
meant  many  of  his  cries  for  the  ears  of  his  dead  parent,  yet  he  gave  little  exhibition 
of  grief  or  distress  over  his  loss. 

The  net  having  been  made  secure  about  the  young  chimpanzee,  he  was  suspended 


A    BATTLE    OF    GIANTS. 

from  a  pole,  carried  on  the  shoulders  of  Gyp  and  Hargo,  and  the  party  set  out  for 
the  camp,  which  was  only  a  short  distance  off.  Since  the  hunters  were  in  an 
Equatorial  country,  and  engaged  upon  a  specific  errand,  their  camp  was  quite 
primitive,  comprising  nothing  more  than  a  small  open  space,  near  a  stream  which 
was  neither  clear  nor  cool,  and  where  at  night  a  fire  was  kept  burning,  for  protection 
against  animals,  and  because  of  the  cheerfulness  it  afforded. 

The  stream  was  in  reality  a  sluggish  river,  winding  its  course  through  that  mala- 
rious section,  and  showing  signs  on  its  bank  of  being  frequented  by  some  of  the 
most  formidable  animals  of  the  Dark  Continent.  Had  our  friends  been  prepared 


" MIGHT  is  RIGHT." 

they  could  have  secured  rhinoceroses,  hippopotami  or  elephants,  for  these  animals 
were  fully  as  plentiful  as  in  South  Africa. 

"  We've  made  a  good  capture,  or  rather  you  have,"  said  Jack  Harvey  to  Gyp; 
"  and  you  must  take  him  down  the  river  at  once  to  King  William." 

The  Texan  had  arranged  with  his  friend,  the  missionary,  to  assume  charge  of 
such  young  animals  as  were  sent  him  until  the  return  of  the  hunters  from  the  jungle. 
The  good  man  was  an  excellent  naturalist  and  accepted  the  trust  with  pleasure.  A 
portion  of  his  premises  were  fitted  up  for  such  purposes,  and  he  had  already  sent  a 
number  of  valuable  specimens  across  the  ocean. 


BONNET  MONKEYS. 


4.66  A    BATTLE    OP    GIANTS. 

Jack  did  not  intend  to  withdraw  from  the  jungle  until  he  had  secured  a  gorilla, 
and,  understanding  the  nature  of  the  animal  as  well  as  he  did,  he  resolved  that  the 
hands  of  the  party  should  be  unhampered  when  the  golden  opportunity  came,  if 
come  it  should. 

A  short  distance  down  the  river,  which  was  a  tributary  of  the  Gaboon,  lay  the 
small  boat  that  had  brought  the  party  almost  to  the  camp.  By  entering  this  at 
once,  and  making  good  use  of  their  time,  the  natives  ought  to  deliver  the  young 
chimpanzee  into  the  hands  of  the  missionary  before  night,  and  return  to  their  camp 
by  noon  of  the  following  day. 

Warning  them  against  undue  haste  or  carelessness,  Jack  and  Bob  bade  the 
natives  good-by,  and  they  quickly  disappeared  in  the  jungle,  bearing  their  precious 
burden  between  them. 

Although  Jack  and  Bob  felt  the  need  of  the  presence  of  the  natives,  they  did  not 
mean  to  loiter  until  their  return.  They  were  competent  to  the  task  of  hunting  any 
game,  and  they  set  out  to  do  so  before  Gyp  and  Hargo  had  been  gone  ten  minutes. 

Their  prime  purpose,  however,  being  the  capture  of  a  gorilla,  they  gave  little 
thought  to  anything  else ;  but,  before  they  had  gone  far  upon  their  renewed  hunt, 
they  came  upon  a  scene  which,  for  the  time,  drove  everything  else  from  their  minds. 

It  seemed  that  a  party  of  elephants  were  returning  from  a  bath  in  the  muddy 
river,  when  they  encountered  three  rhinoceroses  on  their  way  after  the  same  luxury 
The  meeting  took  place  in  a  sort  of  rough  path  in  the  jungle,  not  far  from  the  camp 
of  our  friends. 

Two  of  the  rhinoceroses  turned  out  for  the  elephants,  but  the  third,  a  huge,  ugly 
fellow,  refused  to  give  an  inch.  Thereupon  the  dozen  or  more  elephants  sensibly 
yielded  the  path  to  him. 

All  excepting  one,  a  huge  bull,  who  was  in  just  as  ugly  a  mood  as  the  rhino- 
ceros. Within  less  than  two  minutes  of  their  meeting  these  monarchs  of  the  jungle 
came  together  like  a  couple  of  animated  mountains. 

The  rhinoceros  ran  across  the  front  of  the  elephant,  and  flung  up  his  two  horns, 
with  the  purpose  of  tearing  him  asunder,  but  the  elephant  threw  his  left  foreleg 
over  the  huge,  flabby  neck  of  the  mailed  rhinoceros,  and,  partly  holding  him  mo- 
tionless, bore  down  upon  him  with  such  awful  power  that  one  of  his  tusks  was 
driven  clean  through  the  victim's  body,  just  back  of  his  shoulders.  As  the  fearful 
ivory  sword  was  withdrawn  it  was  crimsoned  with  blood,  which  streamed  down  its 
length  and  dripped  to  the  ground,  while  the  rhinoceros  collapsed  like  so  much 
mud,  killed  as  utterly  as  if  a  thousand  tons  of  rock  had  crushed  him. 

"  The  only  law  of  the  road  in  Africa  is  might,"  said  Bob,  after  the  elephant, 
having  contemplated  his  work  for  a  moment,  swung  off  to  join  the  herd,  which 
viewed  the  battle  from  a  point  some  distance  away. 

" That  rhinoceros  was  a  fool,"  remarked  Jack;  " he  was  too  stubborn  to  turn 
out,  but  preferred  to  fight,  and  as  a  consequence  he  was  knocked  out  in  the  first 
round." 

"A  rhinoceros  doesn't  always  make  such  a  failure.     Mr.  Godkin  told  me  they 


ELEPHANT  AND  RHINOCEROS. 


468  A    BATTLE    OF    GIANTS. 

sometimes  wound  and  drive  off  the  elephant,  but  this  bull  is  an  unusually  large 
fellow,  and  he  made  a  better  fight  than  usual.  But,  I  say,  Jack,  we  seem  to  have 
struck  the  latitude  for  all  sorts  of  wild  beasts  and  reptiles." 

"How  can  that  be,"  asked  the  Texan,  "when  the  spot  we  are  in  has  no  lati- 
tude at  aU;  being  under  the  Equator  ?  " 

"  You  are  right  on  that  point,  but  look  at  the  monkeys  off  yonder,  along  the 
edge  of  the  jungle.  They  seem  to  be  feeding  without  any  fear  of  us,  who  are 
in  plain  sight." 

More  than  a  score  of  the  animals  with  which  our  friends  had,  long  since,  be- 
come familiar,  were  playing  along  the  edge  of  the  forest.  Some  were  plucking 
a  species  of  banana-like  fruit,  others  seemed  to  be  shaking  hands  and  sporting 
with  each  other,  giving  utterance  now  and  then  to  their  peculiar  cries,  and  paying 
no  heed  to  the  two  hunters  who  were  within  gun-shot. 

"We  are  after  more  valuable  game  than  you,"  said  Bob,  having  watched  them 
some  minutes  ;  "  you  must  know  you  are  of  little  account,  or  you  wouldn't  tempt 
us  in  that  style." 

Had  the  hunters  ventured  nearer,  the  creatures  would  have  scampered  off,  but, 
as  the  youth  had  intimated,  they  were  in  no  danger,  for  the  "game  wasn't  worth  the 
candle." 


CHAPTER   LXXXI. 

A     CAMP-FIRE     VISITOR. 

UT  for  the  recollection  of  their  good  fortune  in  the  easy  capture  of  the  chim- 
panzee, I  am  afraid  Jack  Harvey  and  Bob  Marshall  would  have  lost  their 
patience  before  the  close  of  the  afternoon,  for,  though  they  hunted  with  a 
persistency  that  ought  to  have  been  rewarded,  they  were  baffled  in  their  efforts  to 
catch  sight  of  the  most  famed  denizen  of  the  African  jungle. 

This  was  the  more  trying,  since,  as  in  former  instances,  they  knew  they  were 
often  close  to  the  animal.  They  even  heard  its  peculiar  cry,  and  caught  the  sound 
of  one  of  them  skurrying  among  the  vegetation  a  short  distance  in  front,  but  in  no 
case  was  it  possible  to  secure  the  coveted  shot. 

There  was  no  lack  of  other  game.  They  could  have  bagged  a  score  of  the  huge- 
eared  elephants,  which  they  saw  bathing  with  several  hippopotami  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  and  an  enormous  water-serpent  that  boldly  swam  out  in  the 
stream  tempted  a  shot  from  Jack  Harvey,  who  sent  the  bullet  so  accurately  that  the 
enormous  reptile  never  saw  land  again. 

Turning  from  the  teeming  life  of  the  sluggish  Equatorial  river,  they  plunged 
into  the  jungle,  where  they  observed  so  many  strange,  brilliantly-colored  birds  that 
they  were  inclined  more  than  once  to  make  strong  efforts  to  secure  them,  but  they 
gave  it  over,  determined  not  to  be  drawn  aside  from  their  real  business. 

The  plan  of  parting  company  was  tried,  but  with  no  better  success  than  when 
they  hunted  together.  At  last  the  hot,  suffocating  day  drew  to  a  close,  and  the  two 
met  at  the  camp,  where  they  ate  their  evening  meal  of  fruit,  growing  so  abundantly 
around  them.  You  know  the  craving  for  meat  is  much  less  in  warm  weather  than 
in  cold  or  temperate,  and  our  friends  had,  long  since,  adopted  the  wise  plan  of  eat- 
ing only  twice  a  day,  and  then  chiefly  of  fruit,  and  drinking  as  little  water  as  it  was 
possible  to  get  along  with.  They  were  convinced,  and  I  agree  with  them,  that  the 
chief  danger  to  explor  :rs  and  hunters  lies  in  their  carelessness  about  their  drink 
and  diet. 

"  We  can  understand  how  it  is  that  we  don't  see  any  of  those  plaguey  critters  in 
our  own  country,"  remarked  Jack  Harvey,  who,  having  lighted  his  pipe,  lolled  on 
the  earth  with  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  rest  which  comes  to  one  worn  out  and  tired. 

"What  do  you  take  to  be  the  reason  ?  "  asked  Bob,  who  also  felt  the  delight  of 
stretching  his  limbs  on  the  ground.  It  was  not  yet  dark  and  no  attention  was  given 
the  fire. 

"Why,  'cause  you  can't  catch  'em." 

"That  is  hardly  the  reason,"  said  Bob,  "it's  the  difficulty  the  gorillas  find  of 
standing  any  climate  except  this  horrible  one." 

469 


470 


A   CAMP-FIRE    VISITOR. 


"Why  is  it  the  chimpanzees  live  in  England  and  America?" 

"It  must  be  because  the  chimpanzee  can  stand  the  change  of  latitude  better  than 

his  bigger  and  stronger  brother.     Yet  a  good  many  of  the  chimpanzees  die,  in  spite 

of  all  the  care  taken  of  them.     My  chief  described  to  me  a  gorilla  that  he  saw 

in  London,  but  I  be- 
lieve it  died  soon 
afterward,  and  you 
know  they  have 
never  had  a  live  one 
in  America." 

"I  suppose  if 
they  could  send  over 
a  dozen  or  so,  some 
of  them  would  be- 
come used  to  our 
country,  and  after  a 
time  thrive  in  it." 

"  It  will  be  done 
af  te  r  awhile,  no 
doubt,  just  as  the  fly- 
ing machine  will.  My 
chief  believes  in 
the  flying  machine, 
and  he  insists  that  if 
he  doesn't  live  to  see 
it,  his  descendants 
will  be  able  to  travel 
through  the  air,  just 
as  readily  as  they  pass 
from  one  point  to  an- 
other over  the  land." 
"I  would  like  to 
get  another  chim- 
panzee, but  if  we  can 
manage  to  gather  in 
a  young  gorilla,  I 
shall  be  satisfied  to 
CONTENTMENT.  start  for  home  with 

the  two  prizes." 
"  And  if  we  succeed  in  landing  both  there,  my  chief  will  consider  the  expense 

repaid  ten-fold." 

"Well,"  said  the  Texan,  puffing  away  at  his  pipe,  "I  shall  never  up  give  till  we 

succeed." 


BULKY  BATHERS. 


471 


472 


A    CAMP-FIRE    VISITOR. 


"And  I'm  with  you;  there's  no  doubt  to  my  mind  that  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  will 
secure  plenty  of  valuable  curiosities  in  India,  and  we  mustn't  go  back  empty-handed. 
That  reminds  me,"  said  Bob  eagerly,  "that  we  ought  to  christen  the  young  chim- 
panzee: what  shall  it  be  ?" 

The  Texan  smoked  awhile  in  silence,  and  then  looked  up  with  a  smile: 

"Call  him 'Dick.'" 

"Why?" 

"There's  a  good  deal  about  him  that  reminds  me  of  Dick;  he  is  lively  and 
frisky,  and,  when  he  gets  into  a  tight  place,  will  fight  like  the  mischief." 

"Then  'Dick '  it  shall  be,"  replied  Bob  with  a  laugh,  and  so  the  young  chim- 
panzee was  named  for  the  bright  young  fellow  who  just  then  was  having  such 
stirring  times  with  Mr.  Godkin  in  the  wilds  of  India,  the  particulars  of  which  have 
already  been  told  you. 

"We  must  have  a  name  also  for  the  gorilla,"  added  Jack. 

"We  haven't  caught  him  yet." 

"But  we  shall  do  so.  I  think  it  will  be  well  to  name  him  'Bob ' — that  is,  if  it 
should  be  a  him" 

"  Is  there  anything  about  me  to  remind  you  of  a  gorilla  ?  "  asked  the  youth  with 
feigned  indignation. 

"Well  —  I  hope  you  won't  insist  on  my  answering,"  replied  Jack  with  a  twinkle 
of  his  fine  dark  eyes;  "  I  wouldn't  mind  your  calling  him  Jocko  or  Jack,  but  the 
name  is  too  common  with  monkeys." 

"Yes,"  remarked  Bob  meaningly,  "I  know  several  instances  where  monkeys 
bear  the  name  of  Jack,  and  it  fits  them  well,  but  one  or  two  more  wouldn't  make 
much  difference.  I've  no  objection,  however,  and  I  will  be  so  delighted  if  we 
capture  a  gorilla,  that  I  will  be  proud  to  have  him  bear  my  name." 

*(lf  it  should  prove  a  female,  —  well,  we  will  be  able  to  find  some  sweet  name 
that  will  fit  her.  I  guess  we  had  better  start  the  fire,"  added  the  Texan,  rising  to 
his  feet;  "  it's  beginning  to  grow  dark,  and  I  hear  animals  prowling  around  in  the 
jungle." 

Gyp  and  Hargo  had  gathered  so  much  wood  the  evening  before,  that  nothing 
was  required  except  to  kindle  the  flames,  which  were  soon  going  at  a  merry  rate. 

With  such  surroundings  it  would  never  do  for  both  our  friends  to  sleep  at  the 
same  time.  They  were  so  tired  that  it  would  have  been  exceedingly  pleasant,  but 
the  peril  forbade  such  indulgence. 

The  gleam  of  the  fire  was  sure  to  attract  the  attention  of  some  of  the  fiercest 
animals  known  to  any  part  of  the  world.  Indeed,  they  had  been  seen  near  at  hand, 
and  the  glare  of  more  than  one  threatening  pair  of  eyes  was  caught  in  startling 
proximity  to  the  camp. 

All  animals  have  a  dread  of  fire,  and,  so  long  as  the  hunters  kept  theirs  burning 
brightly,  they  were  in  little  danger,  provided  they  maintained  their  usual  vigilance 
at  the  same  time.  The  tiger,  as  you  know,  will  sometimes  steal  fearfully  close  to 
the  flames  for  the  purpose  of  seizing  his  sleeping  victim,  and.  should  the  sportsman 


A   CAMP-FIRE    VISITOR.  473 

sink  into  unconsciousness,  the  smouldering  embers  are  sure  to  tempt  some  beast  to 
a  venture  he  would  not  make  were  the  man  awake. 

"I  will  put  myself  in  your  care,"  said  Jack,  "for  half  the  night,  provided  you 
are  sure  to  keep  your  eyes  open." 

"  I  understand  the  situation  too  well  to  give  way,"  replied  the  youth,  "you  know 
we  both  had  a  good  long  sleep  last  night,  and  I  shall  keep  in  motion  all  the  time." 

"  That  settles  it ;  if  you  will  stick  to  that  there's  no  danger  of  closing  your  eyes." 

It  was  yet  early  in  the  evening,  but  since  each  expected  to  pass  half  the  night 
awake,  Jack  prudently  decided  to  gain  all  the  slumber  he  could  while  the  oppor- 
tunity was  his. 

He  therefore  knocked  the  ashes  from  his  pipe,  saluted  Bob,  sent  up  a  prayer 
to  Heaven,  and  five  minutes  later  was  sleeping  as  sweetly  as  an  infant. 

"  It  would  be  a  good  deal  pleasanter  to  sit  here  on  the  ground,"  reflected  Bob, 
"  but  I  know  what  the  result  would  be.  Dick  and  I  found  that  out  down  in  South 
Africa.  I've  often  tried  to  remember  the  instant  I  dropped  off  to  sleep,  but  could 
no  more  do  it  than  I  could  keep  awake  all  night  when  sleepy  and  sitting  still.  I 
wonder  where  Dick  and  Mr.  Godkin  are,"  he  added,  with  that  quick  transition  of 
thought  peculiar  to  youth,  as  he  rose  to  his  feet,  and,  loaded  rifle  in  hand,  began 
pacing  back  and  forth  near  the  camp-fire.  "  They  have  had  plenty  of  time  to  reach 
India  and  get  well  into  their  work.  What  a  fine  thing  it  would  be  if  Dick  and  I 
had  telephonic  communication  and  could  keep  each  other  posted.  Wouldn't  we 
have  some  interesting  stories  to  tell  ?  " 

The  youth  smiled  at  his  own  conceit,  and  did  not  forget  to  maintain  a  sharp 
watch  on  the  dismal  jungle  whieh  closed  in  on  every  hand. 

The  stream  was  just  far  enough  off  to  be  invisible  in  the  gloom,  though  a  splash- 
ing of  the  water  now  and  then  apprised  him  that  some  of  its  inhabitants  were  in 
motion.  Many  of  the  animals  of  India  and  Africa  are  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  and, 
though  our  friends  had  come  in  collision  with  them  during  the  day-time,  yet  they 
were  far  more  active  and  dangerous  when  darkness  shrouded  the  earth  and  men 
were  asleep. 

Less  than  an  hour  had  passed  of  Bob's  watch  when  he  became  convinced  that 
some  large  beast  was  prowling  perilously  near.  He  caught  shadowy  glimpses  of 
him  as  he  came  to  the  very  edge  of  the  circle  of  illumination,  and  then,  when  the 
sentinel  stopped  to  gain  a  better  view  of  the  intruder,  he  glided  noiselessly  back 
like  a  shadow  and  was  swallowed  up  in  the  gloom. 

No  doubt  the  beast  had  his  heart  set  on  the  youth,  who  could  tell  from  his  move- 
ments that  himself,  and  not  the  sleeping  friend,  was  the  object  of  attention. 

"  I'll  settle  you"  muttered  Bob,  "just  as  soon  as  I  can  get  the  chance." 

The  situation  was  anything  but  a  comfortable  one,  and  the  youth  had  a 
constant  fear  that  the  brute  was  about  to  make  a  sudden  leap  from  the  gloom  and 
land  on  his  shoulders  before  he  could  give  him  a  shot.  Three  separate  times  he 
brought  his  rifle  to  his  shoulder,  but  the  beast  acted  as  though  he  suspected  the 
meaning  of  the  movement  and  instantly  darted  out  of  range. 


474 


A    CAMP-FIRE    VISITOR 


The  most  terrifying  feeling  was  when  some  slight  rustling  directly  behind  the 
lad  warned  him  that,  in  spite  of  all  his  care,  his  unknown  enemy  had  got  in  the  rear. 

The  youth  suspected  it  was  a  lion  or  leopard  that  was  so  persistent,  and  he 
finally  resolved  to  force  matters  to  an  issue. 

Stopping  in  his  walk,  with  his  back  to  the  fire,  he  held  his  gun  ready.  Almost 
the  same  instant  he  caught  the  glimpse  he  wanted,  and,  bringing  his  weapon  to  his 
shoulder,  let  fly,  sending  in  three  shots  in  quick  succession. 

"  Did  you  hit  him  ?  "  asked  Jack,  sleepily,  as  he  raised  his  head  on  his  elbow. 

"Yes  —  each  time." 

"All  right  —  then  I'll  go  to  sleep  again  ;  call  me  when  it's  my  turn,  but  try  noi 
to  disturb  me  before  then." 


CHAPTER  LXXXII 

THE    KING    OF   THE    JUNGLE. 

jROMPTLY  at  midnight  Bob  Marshall  awakened  his  friend  Jack,  and  the  lattei 
assumed  his  place  as  sentinel.  He  did  not  take  the  trouble  to  learn  the 
nature  of  the  animal  shot  some  time  before,  since,  as  he  said,  it  would 
"  keep  "  until  morning. 

The  shot  had  produced  a  salutary  effect  upon  the  other  marauders  that  may  have 
contemplated  a  venture  of  the  kind,  for,  though  there  were  a  number  of  them  in  the 
vicinity,  none  approached  nigh  enough  to  draw  a  shot  from  the  Texan. 

With  the  coming  of  daylight,  the  visitor  that  had  paid  such  a  dear  price  for  his 
temerity  was  found  to  be  a  large  leopard,  resembling  in  appearance  the  cheetah  or 
famed  hunting  leopard  of  India.  Our  friends  bestowed  little  attention  on  him,  for 
they  had  seen  too  many  of  his  kind  to  feel  any  special  interest  in  the  brute. 

Following  the  plan  agreed  upon  the  previous  day,  Jack  Harvey  and  Bob  Mar- 
shall, after  their  simple  morning  meal,  separated.  They  had  fixed  quite  clearly  in 
their  minds  the  course  to  pursue,  it  being  one  which,  if  adhered  to,  would  hold  them 
within  easy  signaling  distance  of  each  other. 

It  fell  to  the  lot  of  one  speedily  to  come  upon  an  interesting  scene,  and  to  the 
other  to  be  involved  in  a  most  stirring  experience. 

It  need  not  be  said  that,  after  the  two  days'  vain  hunt  for  the  gorilla,  our  friends 
used  all  the  care  possible.  No  veterans  of  the  jungle  could  have  stolen  through  the 
tangled  vegetation  with  more  noiselessness  than  they. 

Thus  it  was  that  Jack  had  not  gone  far,  when  he  caught  sight  of  an  animal 
which  with  all  its  extreme  watchfulness  had  no  suspicion  of  his  proximity. 

On  the  massive  branch  of  a  fallen  tree  sat  a  female  leopard,  calmly  gazing  at 
some  point  in  the  jungle.  Since  it  was  not  in  the  direction  of  the  hunter,  the  latter 
knew  he  was  undiscovered. 

With  the  same  skill  he  had  shown  from  the  first,  the  Texan  crept  closer  until  he 
observed  that  the  leopard  was  the  mother  of  a  litter  of  kittens  that  were  in  a  partial 
cavity  just  below  the  limb  on  which  she  was  sitting. 

There  were  three  pretty  spotted  creatures.  One  was  holding  another  down 
with  playful  vigor,  while  the  third  lay  near,  apparently  looking  up  at  its  parent  with 
an  affection  that  was  fully  reciprocated. 

It  would  have  been  the  easiest  thing  in  the  world  for  Jack  to  shoot  the  mother, 
sitting  so  proudly  on  the  old  bough  above,  but,  even  had  he  no  fear  of  alarming  the 
gorillas  in  the  neighborhood,  he  would  not  have  done  so.  They  had  obtained  a 
couple  of  young  leopards  weeks  before  in  South  Africa,  and  there  was  no  call  to 
burden  themselves  with  more.  So  the  hunter  stole  away  as  cautiously  as  he  had 

475 


THE    KING    OF    THE    JUNGLE.  477 

approached  the  spot,  and  that  mother  never  knew  her  narrow  escape  from  death. 
If  she  had  been  able  to  understand  it,  it  isn't  likely  she  would  have  felt  any  grati- 
tude therefor. 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  it  was  your  mate  that  Bob  picked  off  last  night,"  thought 
Jack,  "but  it  was  his  own  fault,  and  I've  no  such  excuse  for  shoo-ting you." 

Meanwhile  Bob  Marshall,  almost  at  the  same  moment,  detected  a  handsome 
female  leopard  a  short  distance  in  front  of  him,  whose  actions  showed  she  had  her 
attention  fixed  upon  something  so  far  in  advance  that  it  was  invisible  to  him. 
Little  did  he  suspect  its  nature. 

The  head  of  the  animal  was  directly  away  from  the  youth,  and  she  was  moving 
so  guardedly  that  Bob  would  not  have  seen  her  had  she  not  suddenly  paused  and 
risen  to  her  feet,  precisely  as  a  brute  does  when  seeking  to  make  sure  its  prey  is 
where  it  suspects  it  to  be. 

Bob  also  stopped,  and,  crouching  down,  stole  to  the  nearest  tree  and  sheltered 
himself  behind  it,  while  he  watched  the  actions  of  the  leopard  with  absorbing 
interest.  He  was  still  wondering  what  her  intended  victim  could  be,  when  he  saw 
something  stirring  in  the  undergrowth  just  beyond.  He  could  not  distinguish  it 
clearly  and  was  still  trying  to  do  so,  when  his  blood  was  set  tingling  by  a  wild,  re 
sounding  "  kh  —  ah!  kh  —  aA/"  the  well-known  cry  of  the  gorilla.  At  the  same 
moment,  the  dimly-seen  object  in  advance  of  the  leopard  resolved  itself  into  a 
female  of  that  species,  which  dashed  off  among  the  limbs,  fallen  trees  and  running 
vines,  with  her  young  one  held  to  her  breast,  as  a  mother  clasps  her  baby. 

In  this  instance  the  head  of  the  family  was  on  hand,  as  the  leopard  discoveied 
without  a  second's  delay. 

The  latter  had  hardly  time  to  rise  to  her  feet  with  the  purpose  of  dashing  after 
ihe  female  gorilla  and  her  young,  when  the  male,  a  gigantic  fellow,  fully  six  feet 
tall,  burst  through  the  vegetation,  and  assailed  her  with  inconceivable  ferocity. 

The  astounded  Bob  saw  the  beam-like  arms  make  a  terrific  sweep  through  the 
air,  and  in  an  instant  the  leopard  was  grasped  and  flung  on  its  side.  One  of  the 
gorilla's  enormous  arms  gripped  his  prey  under  the  throat,  while  the  other,  passing 
over  her  shoulders,  seized  the  left  paw  and  held  it  as  immovable  as  if  it  were  the 
arm  of  an  infant. 

This  brought  the  leopard's  head  under  the  chin  of  the  terrible  creature,  which 
opened  its  vast  jaws  until  they  inclosed  half  the  leopard's  neck  between  them.  Then 
the  teeth  met,  and  the  victim  had  barely  time  to  give  one  frenzied  screech,  when  her 
life  went  out  like  a  flash  of  lightning,  and  that,  too,  before  she  was  able  to  inflict  so 
much  as  a  scratch  upon  her  fearful  assailant. 

The  gorilla  kept  his  jaws  shut  for  a  full  half  minute  in  the  back  of  the  leopard's 
neck,  never  releasing  the  grip  of  his  right  hand  from  her  throat,  nor  that  of  the 
left  from  her  paw.  It  looked  as  if  he  was  holding  his  victim  stationary  while  he 
felt  for  her  pulse  to  learn  whether  she  was  alive  or  not. 

If  such  was  the  fact,  the  result  must  have  satisfied  him. 

Suddenly  he  flung  up  his  head,  half  straightened  his  body,  and  gave  the  carcass 


478 


GORILLA. 


THE    KING    OF    THE    JUNGLE. 


479 


a  flirt  which  sent  it  flying,  end  over  end,  among  the  branches  to  a  point  fifty  feet 

away.      The  male    stood    motionless,  watching  the  flight  of 

the  body  until  it  fell,  when  he  wheeled  to  join  his  mate,  who, 

with  her  young  one  still  clasped  to  her  breast,  was  watching 

him  from  her  perch,  no  doubt  with  proud  admiration  of  his 

prowess,  and  both  utterly  unconscious  of  the 

presence  of   more    formidable  enemies    than 

the  one  which  had  just  been  vanquished. 

At  the  instant  of  turning,  the  male  uttered 
an  appalling,  human-like  screech  and  went 
over    backward,   flinging    his    arms    aloft, 
as    man   sometimes   does   when   mortally 
stricken.     He  was  dead,  instantly  killed 
by  a  bullet  from  Bob  Marshall's  rifle, 
which  had  pierced  through  his  iron 
skull  as  he  stood 
with  his  front  to 
*ard  the  youth, 


A  LITTLE  FURY. 


the  shot  being  so  effective  that  no  second  one  was  required.     There  must  have 
been  a  dim  perception  in  the  mind  of  the  female  that  some  overwhelming  calamity 


^80  THE    KING   OF   THE   JUNGLE. 

bad  overtaken  her  lord,  for,  with  a  strange  cry,  she  scampered  down  from  her  low 
perch,  and,  still  holding  her  young  one  to  her  breast,  ran  toward  the  body. 

She  never  reached  it.  Hardly  half  the  distance  was  passed  when  she  bounded 
forward,  uttered  a  wild  shriek,  and  fell  dead,  with  her  young  one  so  tightly  clasped 
that  it  was  thrown  beneath  her  body. 

The  same  fate  which  her  burly  mate  had  met  overtook  her  before  she  could 
realize  the  presence  of  the  death-dealing  hunter. 

Bob  Marshall  had  understood  from  the  first  what  was  necessary,  and  he 
executed  his  design  with  a  promptness  and  success  that  would  have  delighted  any 
ranger  of  the  jungles. 

Thrilled  by  what  he  had  accomplished,  he  dashed  from  behind  the  tree  and  ran 
to  where  the  little  one  was  still  desperately  struggling  to  free  itself  from  the  dead 
weight  upon  it. 

As  he  did  so,  he  almost  stepped  upon  the  body  of  the  huge  male,  which  lay 
stretched  on  its  back,  so  fearful-looking,  even  in  death,  that  the  boy  involuntarily 
checked  himself  and  grasped  his  rifle,  half  expecting  the  monstrous  animal  to 
spring  at  him.  But  the  king  of  the  jungle  was  past  anything  like  that. 

At  the  moment  Bob  reached  the  female,  the  young  one  succeeded  in  working 
itself  loose,  and  now  confronted  him  with  an  expression  of  such  ferocious  venom 
that  he  involuntarily  recoiled  and  placed  his  hand  on  his  revolver. 

The  youngster  seemed  to  feel  that  the  strange  creature  which  it  now  beheld 
had  done  it  an  irreparable  wrong,  and  it  was  ready  to  assail  him  with  the  fury, 
if  not  the  strength,  with  which  its  father  had  annihilated  the  leopard  but  a  few 
minutes  before. 

Of  course,  Bob  had  no  fear  of  the  little  one,  which  was  a  male,  after  disposing 
of  his  mother  in  such  summary  fashion,  and  nothing  short  of  necessity  could  have 
tempted  him  to  put  a  bullet  through  the  young  spitfire. 

Bob  afterward  said  that  during  the  brief  seconds  he  and  the  infant  gorilla  con- 
fronted each  other  it  seemed  to  him  that  the  hideous  beast  represented  a  million  of 
dollars,  and  he  pictured  the  delight  the  public  would  feel  when  they  saw  him  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

But  the  youngster,  after  snarling  and  showing  his  teeth,  seemed  to  expect  the 
youth  would  attack  him,  and  it  was  that  for  which  he  was  waiting. 

Joyously  as  Bob  would  have  thrown  his  arms  around  the  creature  and  held 
him  fast,  he  was  too  prudent  to  attempt  it.  The  infant  was  too  strong  for  him,  and 
he  felt  that,  unless  he  had  help  very  soon,  the  young  one  would  escape,  if  he  chose 
to  leave  the  vicinity  of  his  dead  parents. 

But  luck  was  once  more  with  our  friends  on  that  hot  day.  Bob  was  standing, 
undecided  what  to  do,  when  his  heart  was  delighted  by  a  whistle  which  he  recog- 
nized as  the  signal  of  Gyp.  The  native  and  his  companion  must  have  returned 
from  their  voyage  down  the  river  sooner  than  any  one  anticipated. 

The  reports  of  the  youth's  Winchester  had  guided  Gyp  to  the  locality,  and 
a  few  minutes  later  he  appeared  among  the  trees. 


THE    KING    OF    THE    JUNGLE. 


481 


A  glance  told  him  the  situation,  and  he  hurried  to  the  spot.  The  fiery  young 
gorilla  was  no  more  frightened  by  the  appearance  of  two  hunters  than  by  a  single 
one,  and  he  confronted  them  with  the  same  defiance  that  he  had  shown  when 
opposed  by  the  single  sportsman. 

The  contract,  however,  was  too  extensive  for  the  young  fury,  and,  kicking, 
scratching,  biting  and  fighting  with  a  fierceness  that  was  amazing,  he  was  finally 
obliged  to  succumb  to  the  entanglements  of  the  same  net  that  had  served  so  well 
in  making  captive  the  ehimpanzee. 


CHAPTER    LXXXIII. 

HOME    AGAIN. 

natives,  Gyp  and  Hargo,  had  pushed  matters  with  such  vigor  that  they 
returned  from  King  William  several  hours  sooner  than  they  had  expected  at 
the  time  of  starting  thither  with  the  captive  chimpanzee.  The  missionary 
was  pleased  to  take  charge  of  the  little  creature,  and  promised  it  the  best  of  care. 
He  had  had  others  in  his  keeping  before,  and  understood  them  so  well  that  no  one 
could  have  done  better. 

The  servants  had  reached  camp  only  a  short  time  after  the  departure  of  Jack 
Harvey  and  Bub  Marshall  on  their  gorilla  hunt.  It  was  not  an  easy  matter  to  fol- 
low them  through  the  jungle,  but  they  set  out  to  do  so,  and  were  thus  engaged 
when  the  report  of  Bob's  Winchester  fell  on  their  ears. 

The  sound  showed  that  he  was  not  far  off,  and  Gyp  at  once  started  to  join 
him.  Hargo  decided  to  stay  where  he  was  and  to  pursue  his  hunt  of  the  animals 
alone  unless  summoned  by  signal  from  his  master. 

This,  you  will  perceive,  was  in  keeping  with  Jack  Harvey's  policy  of  separating 
the  hunters,  and  the  act  of  the  native  was  at  the  suggestion  of  Gyp  himself. 

Hargo  had  not  been  left  alone  ten  minutes,  when  his  trained  ear  told  him  that 
he  was  in  the  neighborhood  of  one  of  the  creatures  for  which  they  had  hunted  so 
long  in  vain.  Like  his  friend  Gyp,  he  had  been  in  the  business  before,  and  was 
confident  he  fully  understood  all  the  requirements. 

The  native  stood  still  and  looked  carefully  around,  half  suspecting  he  had 
already  been  discovered  by  the  terrific  game. 

Such,  indeed,  was  the  fact,  for  he  had  hardly  had  time  to  take  a  quick  survey 
when  he  descried  a  female  skurrying  off  among  the  trees.  As  is  generally  the 
case,  she  was  the  first  to  discover  the  danger,  and  announced  it  to  her  mate,  who  was 
feeding  near  at  hand.  The  female  had  no  young  one  with  her,  so  far  as  Hargo 
could  see,  but,  all  the  same,  she  turned  over  to  the  head  of  the  family  the  duty  of 
attending  to  intruders. 

The  gorilla  that  rose  on  his  hind  feet  and  advanced  toward  the  African  was 
fully  as  large  as  the  one  shot  by  Bob  Marshall.  Indeed  Hargo  had  never  seen 
such  a  formidable  creature,  which,  instead  of  fleeing,  appeared  to  be  eager  for  a 
fight. 

Walking  forward,  he  stopped  a  rod  away,  struck  his  tremendous  breast  with  his 
paw,  sending  out  a  sound  like  a  bass  drum,  and,  opening  his  vast  crimson  mouth  to 
its  full  extent,  emitted  a  roar  that  was  enough  to  test  the  nerves  of  the  bravest  man. 
Then  he  commenced  walking  slowly  forward,  with  his  wicked  black  eyes  fixed  on, 
the  native  and  the  hair  over  his  skull  twitching  with  rage. 


HOME    AGAIN. 


483 


It  would  not  do  to  miss  hitting  this  monster  at  the  first  fire,  for,  as  you  will 
recall,  Hargo's  gun  was  a  single-barrel.     He  knew  his  peril,  and,  with  the  coolness 
of  a  veteran,  stood  his  ground,  calmly  awaiting  the  moment  when  the  gorilla  should 
be  so  close  that  a  failure  of  aim  was  out  of  the 
question. 

It  would  seem  that  that  point  was  reached 
when  he  was  within  twenty  paces,  but  Hargo 
held  his  fire  until  half  that   distance    sepa- 
rated them,  when  he  brought  his  gun  to  his 
shoulder,  took  aim  at  the  point  over  the 
heart  of   the  animal,    and,   with    the 
muzzle  of  his  weapon  almost  within 
reach  of  his  paw,  pulled  trigger. 

Alas  !  the  piece  missed 
fire,   and  the  instant   it 
did  so  the  African 
knew     he    was 


<.« 


JUST  Too  LATE. 


doomed.  Hastily  clubbing  his 
gun,  he  made  a  sweeping  blow  at 
the  monster,  who  bounded  forward 
with  the  fury  of  his  brother  assail- 
ing the  leopard. 

The  blow  landed,  but  produced 
no  more  effect  than  if  it  had  struck 
the  side  of  a  tree.  In  an  instant 
the  weapon  was  wrenched  from  his 


grasp  by  a  single  paw  of  the  gorilla,  who  smote  the  man  with  his  other,  the  blow 
crushing  his  skull  as  though  it  had  been  card-board,  and  striking  him  to  the  earth, 
dead  almost  before  he  fell. 


484 


HOME    AGAIN. 


Standing  over  the  prostrate  figure,  the  gorilla  stared  around  in  the  jungle,  uttering 
his  resonant  roar,  as  if  to  say  that  if  there  were  any  more  human  beings  who  wished 
to  dispute  his  sovereignty  of  the  jungle  he  was  ready  for  them. 

He  did  not  have  to  wait  long,  for  it  so  happened  that  Jack  Harvey  was  pushing 
his  way  among  the  trees,  drawn  thither  by  the  cry  of  the  gorilla,  which  was  quite  near 
him. 

As  he  came  in  sight  he  saw  the  creature  standing  over  the  motionless  figure, 
and  he  needed  nothing  more  to  tell  him  that  poor  Hargo  was  beyond  all  suffering. 

The  beast  still  held  the  gun,  and,  as  if  in  the  pure  wantonness  of  strength,  he  bent 
it  over  in  a  half  circle,  apparently  with  no  more  effort  than  if  it  were  a  thin  pipe  of 
lead. 

The  Texan  stopped  while  fifty  feet  distant,  and  leveled  his  Winchester  at  the 
gorilla,  which  began  advancing  toward  him.  Jack  did  not  wait  for  him  to  lessen 
the  space,  but  let  fly  the  instant  he  was  sure  of  his  aim,  and  with  such  accuracy 
that  the  first  ball  bored  its  way  through  the  heart  of  the  monster,  who  went  to  the 
earth  very  much  as  the  victims  of  Bob  Marshall's  marksmanship  had  done  a  brief 
time  before. 

The  hunter  ran  forward  and  stooped  over  the  figure  of  Hargo.  He  knew  before 
doing  so  that  he  was  past  help,  and  he  was  stirred  with  sorrow  for  the  unfortunate 
victim  of  the  animal's  ferocity. 

In  order  to  protect  the  body  from  wild  beasts,  Jack  decided  to  stay  by  it  until  it 
could  be  removed.  He  uttered  the  signal  agreed  upon,  and  had  to  wait  only  a  short 
time  when,  to  his  astonishment,  Gyp  and  Bob  appeared,  carrying  the  captive  gorilla 
between  them,  suspended  in  the  net  supported  on  a  pole,  with  the  little  one  as  savage 
and  defiant  in  its  way  as  its  parent  had  been. 

Gyp  and  Bob  were  shocked  by  the  fate  of  their  attendant,  but  he  was  killed 
beyond  remedy,  and  all  that  remained  was  to  carry  his  body  to  the  boat  and  thence 
down  the  river  to  King  William. 

It  was  a  difficult  task,  but  it  was  accomplished  at  last,  the  party  reaching  the 
town  the  following  day  with  the  remains  and  the  young  gorilla  in  good  con- 
dition. Bob  and  Jack  distributed  a  liberal  sum  of  money  among  J-Iargo's  nearest 
relatives,  whose  gratitude  seemed  to  be  more  pronounced  than  their  grief  for  the 
loss  of  their  friend. 

The  two  hunters  decided  that  their  work  in  Equatorial  Africa  was  finished,  and 
they  now  desired  to  leave  the  country  with  the  least  possible  delay.  They  were 
hopeful  of  finding  some  vessel  bound  across  the  Atlantic  to  America ;  but  they  were 
disappointed,  and,  after  waiting  several  days,  took  ship  to  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope. 
There  they  secured  passage  by  way  of  Calcutta  for  England. 

At  Cape  Town,  the  horses  which  they  had  left  were  taken  on  board,  and  the  run 
up  the  Indian  Ocean  was  begun  in  the  highest  spirits  on  the  part  of  both.  "  Dick,"  the 
chimpanzee,  and  "  Bob,"  the  gorilla,  were  in  excellent  condition,  and  their  captors 
were  hopeful  of  landing  both  in  America  in  the  best  of  health  and  vigor. 

The  gorilla  seems  to  be  absolutely  untamable.     My  old  friend   Du  Chaillu  tell? 


HOME    AGAIN. 


485 


me  he  made  repeated  attempts  to  win  the  regard  of  the  young  ones  he  was  fort- 
unate enough  to  capture,  but  was  never  able  to  awaken  the  first  spark  of  affection 
in  them. 

Bob  Marshall's  experience  with  "  Dick  "  was  quite  similar.  Jack  Harvey  became 
so  disgusted  with  the  spitfire  that  he  gave  up  the  task  and  left  him  to  himself. 
Many  a  time  Bob  felt  like  doing  the  same,  but  some  slight  indication,  as  he  thought, 
of  an  appreciation  of  his  efforts,  induced  him  to  persevere  in  his  attempts  to  make 
friends  with 
the  little  one. 

TT  , 

He  spoke 
to  it  in  the 
most  sooth- 
ing language, 
proffered  it 
delicacies, 
and  sp  ent 
hours  in  try- 
ing to  win  its 
regard,  but  all 
in  vain ;  and, 
when  Calcut- 
ta was  reach- 
ed, he  was 
compelled  to 
admit  to  Jack 
that  the  ani- 
mal was  just 
as  fierce  and 
wild  as  when 
the  net  was 
thrown  over 
its  head  in  the 
Gaboon  coun- 
try. 

"If    there 

is  any  difference,"  added  Bob, "  I  think  he  is  worse,  for  he  has  grown  rapidly  and  is  a 
good  deal  stronger.  If  he  could  get  the  chance  I  believe  he  would  throttle  us  both." 

"  There's  no  doubt  of  it ;  I  daren't  trust  myself  to  fool  with  him,  for  if  he  should 
bite  me  I'm  afraid  I  would  knock  his  plagued  head  off  before  I  could  restrain 
myself." 

"  He  is  too  valuable  to  take  any  such  risks/'  said  Bob,  with  a  laugh,  "  for  you 
know  gorillas  come  high." 

The  greatest  surprise  and  delight  of  all  awaited  the  arrival  of  Bob  and  Jack  at 


DICK. 


486 


HOME    AGAIN. 


Calcutta,  for  who  should  they  find  there  but  Dick  Brownell  and  Mr.  Godkin,  just 
completing  their  arrangements  for  exporting  the  prizes  they  had  secured  in  the 
East  Indian  jungles  to  America  by  way  of  England. 

You  can  imagine  how  glad  the  friends  were  to  meet  each  other  again,  and  to 
find  themselves  all  unharmed,  with  the  most  interesting  of  stories  to  exchange. 
The  chimpanzee  and  gorilla  were  shipped  with  them,  the  four  hunters  taking  pas- 
sage on  the  same  vessel,  in  order  to  be  near  their  prizes  and  to  give  them  their 
attention. 

I  wish  I  could  conclude  my  account  with  a  continuous  record  of  success  and 
gratification  on  the  part  of  my  friends,  who  had  done  so  exceedingly  well  in  their 
search  for  wild  beasts,  birds  and  reptiles  in  Asia  and  Africa,  but,  I  am  sorry  to  say, 
I  cannot. 

Toward  the  latter  part  of  the  voyage  "  Bob,"  the  gorilla,  showed  signs  of  illness. 
He  received  every  possible  care,  but  he  grew  worse,  and  just  as  the  shores  of  Old 
England  rose  to  sight  over  the  blue  ocean  he  breathed  his  last. 

The  effort  to  bring  a  live  gorilla  to  America  had  once  more  failed,  and,  as  I  write 
these  closing  lines,  I  have  to  repeat  that  success  in  that  respect  remains  yet  to  be 
attained.  Of  course  it  will  come  sooner  or  later,  as  will  many  other  achievements 
that  are  now  deemed  among  the  impossibilities. 

With  the  trifling  exceptions  named,  the  rest  of  the  valuable  cargo  reached  this 
country  in  safety  and  in  good  health.  Among  all  the  strange  wild  animals,  the 
liveliest  and  brightest  was  "  Dick,"  the  chimpanzee.  There  are  others,  but  if  you 
are  ever  at  an  exhibition  where  he  is,  the  attendant  will  be  pleased  to  point  out  "Dick" 
to  you,  believing  you  will  be  interested  in  him  after  learning  the  particulars  of  his 
capture. 

He  is  as  full  of  mischief  and  tricks  as  an  egg  is  of  meat.  He  is  fond  of  taking 
a  peep  at  himself  in  a  mirror  with  which  his  quarters  are  furnished.  He  is  fright- 
fully homely,  and  I  don't  wonder  that  several  times  he  has  felt  so  discouraged  over 
his  unprepossessing  appearance  that  he  has  smashed  the  little  looking-glass  which 
persisted  in  reflecting  his  lineaments  so  truthfully. 

He  is  also  very  fond  of  pets,  and  between  him  and  the  tame  rabbit,  which  has 
been  placed  in  his  quarters,  a  strong  friendship  has  been  formed. 

As  I  intimated,  Bob  Marshall  and  Dick  Brownell  immediately  entered  college 
on  their  return  to  this  country,  and  they  are  now  pursuing  their  studies  with  the 
same  vigor  and  persistency  they  showed  in  pursuing  the  wild  birds,  beasts  and 
reptiles  of  Africa  and  India.  They  feel  that  they  have  had  enough  of  wild  life,  and 
I  am  quite  sure  that  you  and  I  would  feel  the  same  after  passing  through  an  experi- 
ence as  varied  and  stirring  as  theirs  has  been. 

Jack  Harvey  and  Carl  Godkin  are  among  my  most  trusted  friends  and  you 
will  admit  that  I  am  warranted  in  believing  that  nothing  ever  can  arise  to  disturb 
the  pleasant  relations  which  have  existed  between  us  from  the  first. 

I  feel  it  a  pleasure  to  acknowledge  in  this  place  my  indebtedness  to  my  friend 
Edward  S.  Ellis,  A.M.,  for  his  help  in  the  preparation  of  these  pages.  His  store  of 


DICK  AND  His  PET. 


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HOME    AGAIN. 


information  concerning  wild  animals,  their  haunts  and  habits,  and  his  long  expe- 
rience as  a  successful  writer  for  the  young  have  enabled  him  to  give  me  many 
valuable  suggestions  as  to  arrangement,  style  and  method  of  treatment.  This 
acknowledgment  is,  therefore,  due  him,  and  is  made  without  suggestion  or  wish  on 
his  part. 


CHAPTER   LXXXIV. 

THE    REASON   WHY    IN    NATURAL   HISTORY. 

HE  wonderful  provision  of  nature  in  the  adaptation  of  means  to  end,  is  nowhere  more  strikingly 
illustrated  than  in  the  peculiarities  of  structure  which  mark  the  different  members  of  the 
animal  kingdom,  adapting  each  to  its  environment,  providing  the  means  of  defense  and 
sustenance;  and  in  that  instinctive  knowledge  of  the  hidden  forces  of  nature  which  enables  them  to 
perceive  the  approach  of  storms,  changes  of  temperature,  etc.,  and  seek  means  of  safety.  Nothing 
can  be  more  interesting  and  instructive  than  to  trace  the  reason  of  these  peculiarities  in  animal  and 
insect  life,  and  thus  in  the  book  of  nature  read  the  wisdom  of  the  Creator. 

The  form  of  question  and  answer  has  here  been  adopted  for  the  reason  that  the  facts  can 
thus  be  presented  in  the  least  possible  space,  and  in  the  manner  best  adapted  to  the  understanding 
of  the  young. 

ANIMALS. 


1 .  Why  are  there  so  many  bodily  forms  in  the 
animai  creation  ? 

Because  the  various  creatures  which  God  has 
created  have  different  modes  of  life,  and  the 
forms  of  their  bodies  will  be  found  to  present  a 
perfect  adaptation  to  the  lives  allotted  to  them. 

Because,  also,  the  beauty  of  creation  depends 
upon  the  variety  of  objects  of  which  it  consists. 
And  the  greatness  of  the  Creator's  power  is 
shown  by  the  diversity  of  ends  accomplished  by 
different  means. 

2.  Why  do  the  furs  of  animals  become  thicker  in 
the  winter  than  in  the  summer  ? 

Because  the  Creator  has  thus  provided  for  the 
preservation  of  the  warmth  of  the  animals  dur- 
ing the  cold  months  of  winter. 

3.  Why  have  dogs  and  other  carnivorous  animals 
long  pointed  teeth  projecting  above  the  rest  ? 

Because  as  they  have  not  hands  to  seize  and 
Control  their  food,  the  projecting  teeth  enable 
them  to  snap  and  hold  the  objects  which  they 
pursue  for  food. 

4.  Why  is  the  under-jaw  of  the  hog  shorter  and 
smaller  than  the  upper  one  ? 

Because  the  animal  pierces  the  ground  with 
its  long  snout,  and  then  the  small  under-jaw 


works  freely  in  the  furrow  that  has  been  opened 
in  quest  of  food. 

5.  Why    have    animals    with  long    necks   large 
throats  ? 

Animals  that  graze,  or  feed  from  the  ground, 
generally  have  a  more  powerful  muscular  forma- 
tion of  the  throat  than  those  which  feed  in  other 
positions,  because  a  greater  effort  is  required 
to  force  the  food  upward,  than  would  be  needed 
to  convey  it  down. 

6.  Why  have  otters,  seals,  etc.,  web-feet  f 
Because,  while  the  feet  enable  them  to  walk 

upon  the  land,  they  are  equally  effective  in  their 
action  upon  the  water,  and  hence  they  are 
adapted  to  the  amphibious  nature  of  the  animals 
to  which  they  belong. 

7.  Why  do  the  external  ears  of  animals  of  prey, 
such  as  cats,  tigers,  foxes,  wolves,  hyenas,  etc.,  bend 
forward  ? 

Because  they  collect  the  sounds  that  occur  in 
the  direction  of  the  pursuit,  and  enable  the  ani- 
mal to  track  its  prey  with  greater  certainty. 

8.  Why  do  the  ears  of  animals  of  flight,  such  as 
hares,  rabbits,  deer,  etc.,  turn  backward  ? 

Because  they  thereby  catch  the  sounds  that 
give  them  warning  of  the  approach  of  danger. 


49° 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


g.  Why  has  the  stomach  of  the  camel  a  number  of 
distinct  bags,  like  so  many  separate  stomachs  ? 

Because  water  is  stored  up  in  the  separate 
chambers  of  the  stomach,  apart  from  the  solid 
aliment,  so  that  the  animal  can  feed,  without 
consuming  all  its  drink.  It  is  thereby  able  to  re- 
tain water  to  satisfy  its  thirst  while  traveling 
across  hot  deserts,  where  no  water  could  be  ob- 
tained. 

10.  Why  have  the  Indian  hogs  large  horns  grow- 
ing from  their  nostrils  and  turning  back  towards 
their  eyes  ? 

Because  the  horns  serve  as  a  defense  to  the 
eyes  while  the  animal  forces  its  way  through  the 
thick  underwood  in  which  it  lives. 

1 1 .  Why  have  calves  and  lambs,  and  the  young  of 
horned  cattle  generally,   no  horns  while   they  are 
young  ? 

Because  the  presence  of  horns  would  interfere 
with  the  suckling  of  the  young  animal.  When, 
however,  it  is  able  to  feed  itself  by  browsing, 
then  the  horns  begin  to  grow. 

12.  Why  cannot  flesh-eating  animals  live  upon 
vegetables  ? 

Because  the  gastric  juice  of  a  flesh -eating  ani- 
mal, being  adapted  to  the  duty  which  it  has  to 
perform,  will  not  dissolve  vegetable  matter. 

13.  Why  has  the  mole  hard  and  flat  feet,  armed 
with  sharp  nails  ? 

Because  the  animal  is  thereby  enabled  to  bur- 
row in  the  earth,  in  search  for  worms.  Its  feet 
are  so  many  shovels. 

14.  Why  is  the  mole's  fur  exceedingly  glossy  and 
smooth  ? 

Because  its  smoothness  enables  it  to  work 
under  ground  without  the  soil  sticking  to  its 
coat,  by  which  its  progress  would  be  impeded. 
From  soils  of  all  kinds,  the  little  worker  emerges 
shining  and  clean. 

15.  Why   has   the   elephant   a   short,  unbending 
neck  ? 

Because  the  elephant's  head  is  so  heavy,  that 
it  could  not  have  been  supported  at  the  end  of  a 
long  neck  (or  lever),  without  a  provision  of  im- 
mense muscular  power. 

1 6.  Why  has  the  elephant  a  trunk  ? 

The  trunk  of  an  elephant  serves  as  a  substitute 
for  a  neck,  enabling  the  animal  to  crop  the 


branches  of  trees,  or  to  raise  water  from  the 
stream. 

According  to  Cuvier,  the  number  of  muscles  in  an  ele- 
phant's trunk  amounts  to  forty  thousand,  all  of  which  are 
under  the  will,  and  it  is  to  these  that  the  proboscis  of  this 
animal  owes  its  flexibility.  It  can  be  protruded  or  con- 
tracted at  pleasure,  raised  up  or  turned  to  either  side,  coiled 
round  on  itself  or  twined  around  any  object.  With  this  in- 
strument the  elephant  collects  the  herbage  on  which  he 
feeds  and  puts  it  into  his  mouth  ;  with  this  he  strips  the  trees 
of  their  branches,  or  grasps  his  enemy  and  dashes  him  to 
the  ground.  But  this  admirable  organ  is  not  only  adapted 
for  seizing  or  holding  substances  of  magnitude  ;  it  is  also 
capable  of  plucking  a  single  leaf,  or  of  picking  up  a  straw 
from  the  floor.  The  orifices  of  the  canals  of  the  extremity 
are  encircled  by  a  projecting  margin,  produced  anteriorly 
into  a  finger-like  process  endowed  with  a  high  degree  of 
sensibility  and  exceedingly  flexible.  It  is  at  once  a  finger 
for  grasping  and  a  feeler  ;  the  division  between  the  two 
nasal  orifices  or  their  elevated  sides  serves  as  a  point  against 
which  to  press  ;  and  thus  it  can  pick  up  or  hold  a  small 
coin,  a  bit  of  biscuit,  or  any  trifling  thing  with  the  greatest 
ease. 

17.  Why  do  the  hind-legs  of  elephants  bend  for- 
ward ? 

Because  the  weight  of  the  animal  is  so  great, 
that  when  it  lay  down  it  would  rise  with  great 
difficulty,  if  its  legs  bent  outward,  as  do  me  legs 
of  other  animals.  Being  bent  under  the  body, 
they  have  a  greater  power  of  pushing  directly 
upward,  when  the  powerful  muscles  of  the  thighs 
straighten  them. 

1 8.  Why  have  bats  hooked  claws  in  their  wings  ? 

Because  bats  are  almost  destitute  of  legs  and 
feet ;  at  least  those  organs  are  included  in  their 
wings.  If  they  alight  upon  the  ground,  they 
have  great  difficulty  in  again  taking  to  the  wing, 
as  they  cannot  run  or  spring  to  bring  their  wings 
in  action  upon  the  air.  At  the  angle  of  each 
wing  there  is  placed,  therefore,  a  bony  hook,  by 
which  the  bat  attaches  itself  to  the  sides  of  rocks, 
caves,  and  buildings,  laying  hold  of  crevices, 
joinings,  chinks,  etc.  ;  and  when  it  takes  its  flight, 
it  unhooks  itself,  and  its  wings  are  at  once  free 
to  strike  the  air. 

1 9.  Why  does  the  bat  fly  by  night  ? 

Because  it  lives  chiefly  upon  moths,  which  are 
night-flying  insects. 

20.  Why  does  the  bat  sleep  during  the  winter  f 
Because,  as  the  winter  approaches,  the  moths 

and  flying  insects  upon  which  it  feeds,  disappear. 
If,  therefore,  it  did  not  sleep  through  the  winter, 
it  must  have  starved. 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


49I 


21.  Why  do  oxen,  sheep,  deer,  etc.,  ruminate  ? 
Because  they  have  no  front  teeth  in  the  upper 

jaw,  the  place  of  which  is  occupied  by  a  hardened 
gum.  The  first  process,  therefore,  consists 
simply  of  cropping  their  food,  which  is  passed 
into  the  paunch,  to  be  brought  up  again  and 
ground  by  the  back  teeth  when  the  cropping 
process  is  over. 

Because,  in  a  wild  state,  they  are  constantly 
exposed  to  the  attacks  of  carnivorous  beasts,  and 
as  the  mastication  of  the  large  amount  of  vege- 
table food  required  for  their  sustenance  would 
take  a  considerable  time,  they  are  provided  with 
stomachs,  by  which  they  are  enabled  to  fill  their 
paunches  quickly,  and  then,  retiring  to  a  place 
of  safety,  they  bring  their  food  up  again,  and 
chew  it  at  leisure. 

22.  Why  can  ruminating  animals  recover  the  food 
from  their  paunches  ? 

Because  they  have  a  voluntary  power  over  the 
muscles  of  the  throat,  by  which  they  can  bring 
up  the  food  at  will. 

23.  Why  can  they  keep  the  unchewed  food  in  the 
paunch,  from    the    "cud",  they    have  chewed  for 
nourishment  ? 

Because  their  stomachs  are  divided  into  three 
chambers  :  i,  the  paunch,  where  the  unchewed 
food  is  stored  ;  2,  the  reticulum,  where  portions 
of  the  food  are  received  from  the  paunch,  and 
moistened  and  rolled  into  a  "cud,"  to  be  sent  up 
and  chewed  ;  and  3,  the  psalterium,  which  re- 
ceives the  masticated  food,  and  continues  the 
process  of  digestion. 

In  quadrupeds  the  deficiency  of  teeth  is  usually  compen- 
sated by  the  faculty  of  rumination.  The  sheep,  deer  and  ox 
tribe  are  without  fore-teeth  in  the  upper  jaw.  These  rumi- 
nate. The  horse  and  ass  are  furnished  with  teeth  in  the  up- 
per jaw,  and  do  not  ruminate.  In  the  former  class  the  grass 
and  hay  descend  into  the  stomachs  nearly  in  the  state  in 
which  they  are  cropped  from  the  pasture,  or  gathered  from 
the  bundle.  In  the  stomach,  they  are  softened  by  the  gast- 
ric juice,  which  in  these  animals  is  unusually  copious.  Thus 
softened  and  rendered  tender,  they  are  returned  a  second 
time  to  the  action  of  the  mouth,  where  the  grinding  teeth 
complete  at  their  leisure  the  trituration  which  is  necessary, 
but  which  was  before  left  imperfect.  I  say,  the  trituration 
which  is  necessary  ;  for  it  appears  from  experiments  that 
the  gastric  fluid  of  sheep,  for  example,  has  no  effect  in  di- 
gesting plants,  unless  they  have  been  previously  masticated  ; 
that  it  only  produces  a  slight  maceration,  nearly  as  common 
water  would  do  in  a  like  degree  of  heat  ;  but  that  when  once 
vegetables  are  reduced  to  pieces  by  mastication,  the  fluid 
then  exerts  upon  them  its  specific  operation.  Its  first  effect  is  to 
soften  them,  and  to  destroy  their  natural  consistency  ;  it  then 


goes  on  to  dissolve  them,  not  sparing  even  the  toughest 
parts,  such  as  the  nerves  of  the  leaves.  It  is  very  probable, 
that  the  gratification  also  of  the  animal  is  renewed  and  pro- 
longed by  this  faculty.  Sheep,  deer  and  oxen  appear  to  be 
in  a  state  of  enjoyment  whilst  they  are  chewing  the  cud.  It 
is  then,  perhaps,  that  they  best  relish  their  food. 

24.  Why  do  quadrupeds  that  are  vegetable  eaters 
feed  so  continually  ? 

Because  their  food  contains  but  a  small  pro- 
portion of  nutrition,  so  that  it  is  necessary  to 
digest  a  large  quantity  to  obtain  sufficient  nour- 
ishment. 

25.  Why   do  flesh-eating  animals  satisfy  them- 
selves with  a  rapid  meal  ? 

Because  the  food  which  they  eat  is  rich  in 
nutritious  matter,  and  more  readily  digestible 
than  vegetable  food  ;  it  does  not,  therefore,  re- 
quire the  same  amount  of  grinding  with  the 
teeth. 

26.  Why   do   the  smaller  animals    breed    more 
abundantly  than  the  larger  ones  ? 

Because  the  smaller  ones  are  designed  to  be 
the  food  of  the  larger  ones,  and  are  therefore 
created  in  numbers  adapted  to  that  end.  An 
elephant  produces  but  one  calf ;  the  whale  but 
one  young  one  ;  a  butterfly  lays  six  hundred  eggs  j 
silkworms  lay  from  1,000  to  2,000  eggs;  the 
wasp,  5,000  ;  the  ant,  4,000  to  5,000  ;  the  queen 
bee,  5,000  to  6,000,  or  40,000  to  50,000  in  a 
season  ;  and  a  species  of  white  ant  (termes  fat- 
alis)  produces  86,400  eggs  in  a  day.  Birds  of 
prey  seldom  produce  more  than  two  eggs ;  the 
sparrow  and  duck  tribe  frequently  sit  upon  a 
dozen  ;  in  rivers  there  prevail  a  thousand  min- 
nows for  one  pike  ;  and  in  the  sea,  a  million  of 
herrings  for  a  single  shark  ;  while  of  the  animal- 
cules upon  which  the  whale  subsists,  there  must 
exist  hundreds  of  millions  for  one  whale. 

27.  Why  have  cats,  and  various  other  animals, 
whiskers  ? 

The  whiskers  of  cats,  and  of  the  cat  tribe,  are 
exceedingly  sensitive,  enabling  them,  when  seiz- 
ing their  prey  in  the  dark,  to  feel  its  position 
most  acutely.  These  hairs  are  supplied,  through 
their  roots,  with  branches  of  the  same  nerves 
that  give  sensibility  to  the  lips,  and  that  in  in- 
sects supply  their  "  feelers. " 

28.  Why  has  the  horse  a  smaller  sto*  .,ch  pro- 
portionately than  other  animals  ? 


492 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


Because  the  horse  was  created  for  speed. 
Had  he  the  ruminating  stomach  of  the  ox,  he 
would  be  quite  unfitted  for  the  labor  which  he 
now  so  admirably  performs. 

29.  Why  has  the  horse  no  gall-bladder  ? 
Because  the  rapid  digestion  of  the   horse,  by 

which  its  fitness  for  speed  is  greatly  increased, 
does  not  require  the  storing  up  of  the  bile  as  in 
other  animals  in  which  the  digestive  process  is 
a  slower  operation. 

30.  Why  have  oxen  and  other  quadrupeds  a  tough 
ligament  called  the  "pax-wax"  running  from  their 
backs  to  their  heads  ? 

Because  their  heads  are  of  considerable  weight; 
and  having  frequent  occasion  to  lift  them,  they 
are  provided  with  an  elastic  ligament,  which  is 
fastened  at  the  middle  of  their  backs,  while  its 
other  extremity  is  attached  to  the  head.  This 
enables  them  to  raise  their  heads  easily;  other- 
wise the  effort  to  do  so  would  be  a  work  of  great 
labor.  To  the  horse,  the  pax-wax  acts  as  a 
natural  bearing-rein,  assisting  it  to  hold  its  head 
in  that  position  which  adds  to  the  grace  arid 
beauty  of  the  animal. 

31.  Why  have  the  females  of  the  kangaroo  and 
opossum  tribes  pouches,  or  pockets,  formed  in  the 
skin   of  their  breasts  for  the  reception   of  their 
young  ? 

Because  their  young  ones  are  remarkably 
small  and  helpless;  in  fact,  more  so  than  those 
of  any  other  animal  of  equal  proportions.  Be- 
sides which,  the  full-grown  animals  have  very 
long  hind-legs,  and  they  progress  by  a  series  of 
extraordinary  leaps.  It  would  consequently  be 
impossible  for  their  helpless  young  ones  to  follow 
them.  God  has  therefore  given  to  female  kan- 


garoos and  opossums  curious  pockets,  formed 
out  of  their  own  skin,  in  which  they  place  their 
little  young  ones,  and  bear  them  through  their 
surprising  leaps  with  the  greatest  ease  and 
safety. 

32.  Why  do  animals  that  graze,  crop  the  tender 
blades  of  grass,  but  avoid  the  tall  stems  ? 

Because  they  are  tempted  by  the  greatei 
sweetness  and  tenderness  of  the  young  blades> 
and  in  this  temptation  a  very  important  end  is 
served;  for,  by  avoiding  the  stems  that  have 
grown  up,  the  animals  spare  the  matured  plant 
by  which  seeds  are  borne,  and  by  which  the  sup- 
ply of  food  is  to  be  continued. 

33.  Why  has  the  giraffe  a  small  head  ? 
Because,  being  set  upon  the  end  of  a  very  long 

neck,  the  animal  would  be  unable  to  raise  it  if  it 
were  heavy. 

34.  Why  has  the  giraffe  a  long  neck  ? 
Because  it   feeds   upon   the  branches  of  tall 

trees. 

35.  Why  has   the  giraffe    a   long    and  flexiblt 
tongue  ? 

Because  it  is  thereby  enabled  to  lay  hold  of 
the  tender  twigs  and  branches,  and  draw  them 
into  its  mouth,  avoiding  the  coarser  parts  of  the 
branches. 

36.  Why  are  the  nostrils  of  the  giraffe  small  and 
narrow,  and  studded  with  hairs  ? 

Because  the  hairs  and  the  peculiar  shape  oi 
the  nasal  passages  are  designed  as  a  protection 
against  the  insects  which  inhabit  the  boughs  ol 
the  trees  upon  which  the  giraffe  feeds  ;  and  also 
against  the  sands  of  the  desert,  which  storms 
raise  into  almost  suffocating  clouds. 


BIRDS. 


37.  Why  are  birds  covered  with  feathers  ? 
Because  they  require  a  high  degree  of  warmth, 

on  account  of  the  activity  of  their  muscles  ;  but 
in  providing  that  warmth  it  was  necessary  that 
their  coats  should  be  of  the  lightest  material,  so 
as  not  to  impair  their  powers  of  flight ;  and 
feathers  combine  the  highest  warming  power, 
faith  the  least  amount  of  weight. 

38.  Why  have  ostriches  small  wings  ? 
Because,  having  long  legs,  they  do  not  require 

their  wings  for  flight ;  they  are  merely  used  to 
steady  their  bodies  while  running. 


39.  Why  are  ostrich  feathers  soft  and  downy  f 

Because,  as  the  feathers  are  not  employed  for 
flight,  the  strength  of  the  feathers  as  constructed 
for  flying  is  unnecessary,  and  the  feathers  there- 
fore consist  chiefly  of  a  soft  down. 

40.  Why  have  water-birds  feathers  of  a  close  and 
smooth  texture  ? 

Because  such  feathers  keep  the  body  of  the 
bird  warm  and  dry,  by  repelling  the  water  from 
their  surface.  A  bird  could  scarcely  move 
through  the  water  with  the  downy  feathers  of 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY, 


493 


the  ostrich,  because  of  the  amount  of  water  the 
down  would  absorb. 

41.  Why  does   a  black  down  grow    under   the 
feathers  of  birds  as  winter  approaches  ? 

Because  the  down  is  a  non-conductor  of  heat, 
and  black  the  warmest  color.  It  is  therefore 
best  adapted  to  keep  in  their  bodily  warmth  dur- 
ing the  cold  of  winter. 

42.  Why  have  birds  hard  beaks  ? 

Because,  having  no  teeth,  the  beak  enables 
them  to  seize,  hold,  and  divide  their  food. 

43.  Why  are  the  beaks  of  birds  generally  long 
and  sharp  ? 

Because  the  greater  number  of  birds  live  by 
picking  up  small  objects,  such  as  worms,  insects, 
seeds,  etc.  The  sharp  beak,  therefore,  serves  as 
a  fine  pincers,  enabling  them  to  take  hold  of 
their  food  conveniently. 

44.  Why  have  snipes  and  woodcocks  long  tapering 
bills  ? 

Because  they  live  upon  worms  which  they  find 
in  the  soft  mud  of  streams  and  marshy  places ; 
their  long  bills,  therefore,  enable  them  to  dig 
down  into  the  mud  after  their  prey. 

45.  Why  have  woodcocks,  snipes,  etc.,  nerves  run- 
ning down  to  the  extremities  of  their  bills  ? 

Because,  as  they  dig  for  their  prey  in  the  soft 
sand  and  mud,  they  cannot  see  the  worms  upon 
which  they  live.  Nerves  are  therefore  distrib- 
uted to  the  very  point  of  their  bills  (where,  in 
other  birds,  nerves  are  entirely  absent)  to  enable 
them  to  prehend  their  food. 

46.  Why   have    ducks   and  geese   square-pointed 
bills  ? 

Because  they  not  only  feed  by  dabbling  in  soft 
and  muddy  soil,  but  they  consume  a  considerable 
quantity  of  green  food,  and  their  square  bills  en- 
able them  to  crop  off  the  blades  of  grass. 

47.  Why  has  the  spoon-bill  a  long  expanded  bill 
lined  internally  with  sharp  muscular  points  ? 

Because  the  bird  lives  by  suction,  dipping  its 
broad  bill  in  search  of  aquatic  worms,  mollusks, 
insects  and  the  roots  of  weeds.  The  bill  forms 
a  natural  spoon,  and  the  muscular  points  enable 
the  bird  to  filter  the  mud,  and  to  retain  the 
nourishment  which  it  finds. 

48.  Why  has  the  spoon-bill  long  legs  ? 
Because  it  wades  in  marshy  places  to  find  its 

food.     Its  legs   are  therefore  long,  for  the  pur- 


pose of  keeping  its  body  out  of  the  water,  and 
above  the  smaller  aquatic  plants,  while  it 
searches  for  its  prey. 

49.  Why  have  the  parrots,  etc.,    crooked  and 
hard  bills  ? 

Because  they  live  upon  nuts,  the  stones  of 
fruit,  and  hard  seeds.  The  shape  of  the  bill, 
therefore,  enables  them  to  hold  the  nut  or  seed 
firmly,  and  the  sharp  point  enables  them  to  split 
or  remove  the  husks. 

50.  Why  can  a  parrot  move  its  upper  as  well  as 
its  lower  bill  ? 

Because  by  that  means  it  is  enabled  to  bring 
the  nut  or  seed  nearer  the  fulcrum,  or  joint  of  the 
jaw.  It  therefore  acquires  greater  power,  just 
as  with  a  pair  of  nut-crackers  we  obtain  in- 
creased power  by  setting  the  nut  near  to  the 
joint. 

5 1 .  Why  are  the  bones  of  birds  hollow  ? 
Because   they   are   thereby   rendered   lighter, 

and  do  not  interfere  with  the  flight  of  the  bird 
as  they  would  do  if  they  were  solid.  Greater 
strength  is  also  obtained  by  the  cylindrical  form 
of  the  bone,  and  a  larger  surface  afforded  for  the 
attachment  of  powerful  muscles. 

52.  Why  do  all  birds  lay  eggs  ? 

Because,  to  bear  their  young  in  any  other 
manner,  would  encumber  the  body,  and  mater- 
ially interfere  with  their  powers  of  flight. 

As  soon  as  an  egg  becomes  large  and  heavy  enough  to  be 
cumbersome  to  the  bird,  it  is  removed  from  the  body.  A 
shell,  impervious  to  air,  protects  the  germ  of  life  within, 
until  from  two  to  twenty  eggs  have  accumulated,  and  then, 
although  laid  at  different  intervals,  their  incubation  com- 
mences together,  and  the  young  birds  are  hatched  at  the 
same  time. 

53.  Why  have  birds  with  long  legs  short  tails  9 
Because  the  tails  of  birds  are  used  to  guide 

them  through  the  air,  by  a  kind  of  steerage. 
When  birds  with  long  legs  take  to  flight,  they 
throw  their  legs  behind,  and  they  then  serve  the 
same  purpose  as  a  tail. 

'  54.  Why  have  birds  that  sv  im  up6n  water  web- 
feet  ? 

Because  the  spreading  out  of  the  toes  of  the 
bird  brings  the  membrane  between  the  toes  into 
the  form  of  a  fin,  or  water-wing,  by  striking 
which  against  the  water  the  bird  propels  itself 
along. 

55.  Why  have  birds  that  swim  and  dive  short 
legs? 


494 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


Because  long  legs  would  greatly  impede  their 
motions  in  the  water,  by  becoming  repeatedly 
entangled  in  the  weeds,  and  by  striking  against 
the  bottom.  Waders,  however,  require  long  legs 
because  they  have  to  move  about  through  the 
tall  vegetation  of  marshy  borders. 

56.  Why  have  the  feet  of  the  heron,  cormorant, 
etc.,  deep  rough  notches  upon  their  under  surface  ? 

Because,  as  those  birds  live  by  catching  fish, 
they  are  enabled  by  the  notches  in  their  feet,  to 
hold  the  slippery  creatures  upon  which  they  feed. 

57.  Why  do  woodpeckers  "  tap  "  at  old  trees  ? 
Because  by  boring  through  the  decayed  wood, 

with  the  sharp  and  hard  bills  with  which  they 
are  provided,  they  get  at  the  haunts  of  the  insects 
upon  which  they  feed. 

58.  Why  are   woodpeckers'  tongues   about  three 
times  longer  than  their  bills  ? 

Because,  if  their  bills  were  long,  they  would 
not  bore  the  trees  so  efficiently  ;  and  when  the 
trees  are  bored,  and  the  insects  alarmed,  they 
endeavor  to  retreat  into  the  hollows  of  the  wood; 
but  the  long  thin  tongue  of  the  woodpecker  fixes 
them  on  its  sharp  horny  point,  and  draws  them 
into  the  mouth  of  the  bird. 

59.  Why  have  birds  gizzards  f 

Because,  having  no  teeth,  the  tough  and 
fibrous  gizzards  are  employed  to  grind  the  food 
preparatory  to  digestion. 

60.  Why  are  small  particles  of  sand,  stone,  etc., 
found  in  the  gizzards  of  birds  ? 

Because,  by  the  presence  of  those  rough  parti- 
cles, which  become  embedded  in  the  substance 
of  the  gizzard,  the  food  of  the  bird  is  more  effect- 
ively ground. 

When  our  fowls  are  abundantly  supplied  with  meat,  they 
soon  fil*  their  craw,  but  it  does  not  immediately  pass  thence 
into  the  gizzard;  it  always  enters  in  small  quantities,  in 
proportion  to  the  progress  of  trituration;  in  like  manner,  as 
in  a  mill,  a  receiver  is  fixed  above  the  two  large  stones 
which  serve  for  grinding  the  corn,  which  receiver,  although 
the  corn  be  put  into  it  by  bushels,  allows  the  grain  to  drib- 
ble only  in  small  quantities  into  the  central  hole  in  the  upper 


mill-stone. 


61.  Why  have  birds  of  prey  no  gizzards  ? 
Because    their   food   does  not   require   to   be 

ground  prior  to  digestion,  as  does  the  food  of 
grain-eating  birds. 

62.  Why  has  the  pelican  a  large  pouch  under  its 
bill  ? 

Because  it  subsists  upon  fish,  generally  of  the 
smaller  kind,  and  uses  its  pouch  as  a  net  for 
catching  them ;  the  pouch  also  serves  as  a 
paunch,  in  which  the  fish  are  stored,  until  the 
bird  ceases  from  the  exertion  of  fishing,  and 
takes  its  meal  at  leisure. 

In  their  wild  state  they  hover  and  wheel  over  the  surface 
of  the  water  watching  the  shoals  of  fish  beneath,  and  sud- 
denly sweeping  down,  bury  themselves  in  the  foaming 
waves;  rising  immediately  from  the  water  by  their  own 
buoyancy,  up  they  soar,  the  pouch  laden  with  the  fish 
scooped  up  during  their  momentary  submersion.  The 
number  of  fish  the  pouch  of  this  species  will  contain  may 
be  easily  imagined  when  we  state  that  it  is  so  dilatable  as  to 
be  capable  of  containing  two  gallons  of  water;  yet  the  bird 
has  the  power  of  contracting  this  membraneous  expansion, 
by  wrinkling  it  up  under  the  lower  mandible,  until  it  is 
scarcely  to  be  seen.  In  shallow  inlets,  which  the  pelicans 
often  frequent,  it  nets  its  prey  with  great  adroitness. 

The  pelican  chooses  remote  and  solitary  islands,  isolated 
rocks  in  the  sea,  the  borders  of  lakes  and  rivers,  as  its 
breeding-place.  The  nest,  placed  on  the  ground,  is  made 
of  coarse  grasses,  and  the  eggs,  which  are  white,  are  two  or 
three  in  number.  While  the  female  is  incubating,  the  male 
brings  fish  to  her  in  his  pouch,  and  the  young,  when 
hatched,  are  assiduously  attended  by  the  parents,  who  feed 
them  by  pressing  the  pouch  against  the  breast,  so  as  to 
transfer  the  fish  from  the  former  into  the  throats  of  the 
young.  The  action  has  doubtless  given  origin  to  the  old 
fable  of  the  pelican  feeding  its  young  with  blood  drawn 
from  its  own  breast. 

63.  Why  does  the  lower  bill  of  the  sea-crow  pro- 
ject beyond  the  upper  one  ? 

Because  the  bird  obtains  his  food  by  skimming 
along  the  water  into  which  he  dips  his  bill,  and 
lifts  his  food  out. 

64.  Why  do  the  mandibles  of  the  cross-bill  over- 
lap each  other  ? 

Because  the  bird  requires  a  peculiar  bill,  to 
enable  it  to  split  seeds  into  halves,  and  to  tear 
the  open  cones  of  the  fir-tree. 


INSECTS. 


65.  Why  has  the  spider  the  power  of  spinning 
a  web  ? 

Because,  as  it  lives  upon  flies,  but  is  deficient 
of  the  power  of  flying  in  pursuit  of  them,  it  has 
been  endowed  with  an  instinct  to  spread  a  snare 


to  entrap  them,   and  with  the  most  wonderful 
machinery  to  give  that  instinct  effect. 

There  are  few  things  better  suited  to  remove  the  disgust 
into  which  young  people  are  betrayed  on  the  view  of  some 
natural  objects,  than  this  of  the  spider.  They  will  find  that 
the  most  despised  creature  may  become  a  subject  of  admira- 


THE    REASON   WHY   IN   NATURAL   HISTORY. 


495 


tion,  and  be  selected  by  the  naturalist  to  exhibit  the  marvel- 
lous'works  of  the  creation.  The  terms  given  to  these  in- 
sects lead  us  to  expect  interesting  particulars  concerning 
them,  since  they  have  been  divided  into  vagrants,  hunters, 
swimmers,  and  water  spiders,  sedentary,  and  mason-spiders, 
thus  evincing  a  variety  in  their  condition,  activity,  and  mode 
of  life;  and  we  cannot  be  surprised  to  find  them  varying  in  the 
performance  of  their  vital  functions  (as,  for  example,  in  their 
mode  of  breathing),  as  well  as  in  their  extremities  and  in- 
:  struments.  Of  these  instruments  the  most  striking  is  the 
:  apparatus  for  spinning  and  weaving,  by  which  they  not 
only  fabricate  webs  to  entangle  their  prey,  but  form  cells 
for  their  residence  and  concealment;  sometimes  living  in 
'  the  ground,  sometimes  under  water,  yet  breathing  the 
:  atmosphere.  Corresponding  with  their  very  singular  organ- 
ization are  their  instincts.  We  are  familiar  with  the  watch- 
fulness and  voracity  of  some  spiders,  when  their  prey  is 
indicated  by  the  vibration  of  the  cords  of  their  net-work. 
Others  have  the  eye  and  disposition  of  the  lynx  or  tiger, 
and  after  crouching  in  concealment,  leap  upon  their  victims. 
Some  conceal  themselves  under  a  silken  hood  or  tube,  six 
eyes  only  projecting.  Some  bore  a  hole  in  the  earth,  and 
line  it  as  finely  as  if  it  were  done  v/ith  the  trowel  and 
mortar,  and  then  hang  it  with  delicate  curtains.  A  very 
extraordinary  degree  of  contrivance  is  exhibited  in  the  trap- 
door spider.  This  door,  from  which  it  derives  its  name, 
has  a  frame  and  hinge  on  the  mouth  of  the  cell,  and  is  so 
provided  that  the  claw  of  the  spider  can  lay  hold  of  it,  and 
whether  she  enters  or  goes  out,  the  door  shuts  of  itself.  But 
the  water-spider  has  a  domicile  more  curious  still;  it  is 
under  water,  with  an  opening  at  the  lower  part  for  her  exit 
and  entrance;  and  although  this  cell  be  under  water,  it 
contains  air  like  a  diving-bell,  so  that  the  spider  breathes 
the  atmosphere.  The  air  is  renewed  in  the  cell  in  a  man- 
ner not  easily  explained.  The  spider  comes  to  the  surface  ; 
a  bubble  of  air  is  attracted  to  its  body;  with  this  air  she 
descends,  and  gets  under  her  cell,  when  the  air  is  disen- 
gaged and  rises  into  the  cell;  and  thus,  though  under 
water,  she  lives  in  the  air.  There  must  be  some  peculiar 
property  of  the  surface  of  this  creature  by  which  she  can 
move  in  the  water  surrounded  with  an  atmosphere,  and  live 
under  the  water  breathing  the  air. 

The  chief  instrument  by  which  the  spider  performs  these 
wonders  is  the  spinning  apparatus.  The  matter  from 
which  the  threads  are  spun  is  the  liquid  contained  in  cells; 
i  the  ducts  from  these  cells  open  upon  little  projecting  teats, 
,  and  the  atmosphere  has  so  immediate  an  effect  upon  this 
liquid,  that  upon  exposure  to  it  the  secretion  beconies  a 
tough  and  strong  thread.  Twenty-four  of  these  fine  strands 
.  form  together  a  thread  of  the  thickness  of  that  of  the  silk- 
worm. We  are  assured  that  there  are  three  different  sorts 
of  material  thus  produced,  which  are  indeed  required  for 
the  various  purposes  to  which  they  are  applied  —  as,  for 
example,  to  mix  up  with  the  earth  to  form  the  cells;  to  line 
these  cells  as  with  fine  cotton;  to  make  light  and  floating 
threads  by  which  they  may  be  conveyed  through  the  air,  as 
well  as  those  meshes  which  are  so  geometrically  and  cor- 
rectly formed  to  entrap  their  prey. 

66.    Why  have  many  insects   a  great  number  of 
yes  t 

Because  the  orb  of  the  eye  is  fi::ed  ;    there  is 
therefore  placed  over  the  eye   a  mmtiple-lense, 


which  conducts  light  to  the  eye  from  every 
direction ;  so  that  the  insect  can  see  with  a 
fixed  eye  as  readily  as  it  could  have  done  with  a 
moveable  one.  As  many  as  fourteen  hundred 
eyes,  or  inlets  of  light,  have  been  counted  in  the 
head  of  a  drone-bee.  The  spider  has  eight  eyes, 
mounted  upon  different  parts  of  the  head :  two 
in  front,  two  in  the  top  of  the  head,  and  two  on 
each  side. 

67.  Why  do   certain   butterflies    lay    their  eggs 
upon  cabbage  leaves  ? 

Because  the  cabbage  leaves  are  the  food  of  the 
young  caterpillars ;  and  although  the  butterfly 
does  not  subsist  herself  upon  the  leaf,  she  knows 
by  instinct  that  the  leaf  will  afford  food  to  her 
future  young  ;  she  therefore  lays  her  eggs  where 
her  young  ones  will  find  food. 

This  explanation  applies  to  many  insects  that  lay  their 
eggs  upon  other  plants. 

68.  Why  have  insects  long  projections  from  their 
heads,  like  horns  or  feathers  ? 

Because  those  organs  (the  antennae),  are  those 
through  which  some  insects  hear  and  others 
feel ;  and  the  projecting  of  these  antennae  from 
their  bodies  probably  enables  them  to  hear  or 
feel  more  acutely  while  their  wings  are  in 
motion,  without  the  interference  of  the  vibrations 
of  their  wings. 

69.  Why  can  gossamer  spiders  float  through  the 
air  ? 

Because,  having  no  wings,  and  being  deficient 
in  the  active  muscular  powers  of  other  spiders, 
they  have  been  endowed  with  the  power  of 
spinning  a  web  which  is  so  light  that  it  floats  in 
the  air,  and  bears  the  body  of  the  gossamer 
spider  from  place  to  place.  Each  web  acts  as  a 
balloon,  and  the  spider  attached  thereto  is  a 
little  aeronaut. 

70.  Why  do   crickets  make   a  peculiar   chirping 
sound  ? 

Because  they  have  hard  wing  cases,  by  the 
friction  of  the  edges  of  which  they  cause  their 
peculiar  noise,  to  make  known  to  each  other 
where  they  are,  in  the  dark  crevices  in.  which 
they  hide. 

71.  Why  has  the  glow-worm  a  brush  attached  to 
its  tail? 

Because  it  is  necessary  to  keep  its  back  very 
clean,  that  the  light  which  its  body  emits  may 
not  be  dimmed. 


496 


THE    REASON   WHY    IN    NATURAL   HISTORY. 


72.  Why  does  the  glow-worm  emit  a  light  ? 
Because   the    female    glow-worm    is   without 

wings,  but  the  male  is  a  winged  insect.  The 
female,  therefore,  is  endowed  with  the  power  of 
displaying  a  phosphorescent  light.  The  light  is 
only  visible  by  night,  but  it  is,  nevertheless, 
beautifully  adapted  for  the  purpose  stated, 
because  the  male  is  a  night-flying  insect,  and 
never  ventures  abroad  by  day. 

There  exists  some  difference  of  opinion  between  natural- 
ists upon  the  uses  of  the  light  of  a  glow-worm;  there  are 
some  who  doubt  that  it  is  exhibited  to  attract  the  flying  in- 
sect. The  objectors,  however,  offer  no  explanation  of  the 
luminous  properties  of  the  worm.  Sir  Charles  Bell  says  the 
preponderance  of  the  argument  is  decidedly  in  favor  of  the 
explanation  we  have  given. 

73.  Why  have  bees  stings  ? 

Because  they  gather  and  store  up  honey  which 
would  constantly  attract  other  insects,  and  the 
bees  would  be  robbed  of  their  food  but  for  the 
sting,  which  is  given  to  them  for  protection. 

74.  Why  have  flies  fine  hairs  growing  at  the  ex- 
tremities of  their  legs  ? 

Because  they  require  to  cleanse  their  bodies 
and  wings  and  to  free  them  from  particles  of 
dust.  As  they  cannot  turn  their  heads  for  this 
purpose,  they  have  hairy  feet  which  serve  as 
brushes  and  by  which  any  part  of  their  bodies 
can  be  reached  and  cleaned. 

75.  Why  do  the  eggs  of  butterflies  lie  dormant 
during  the  winter  ? 

Because  the  coldness  of  the  winter  would  be 
fatal  to  the  life  of  the  young  insects ;  and  the 
absence  of  vegetation  would  leave  the  caterpillars 
to  perish  of  starvation,  if  they  were  developed 
during  the  winter  months. 

76.  Why  do  caterpillars  appear  in  the  spring  ? 
Because   the   increasing  warmth   of   the   sun 

develops  the  living  embryo,  at  the  same  time 
that  it  develops  the  vegetable  germ.  The 
warmth,  therefore,  that  calls  the  caterpillar  from 
its  embryo  sleep,  also  kindles  the  germinating 
power  of  the  vegetable  upon  which  it  is  destined 
to  feed.  The  worm  awakes  and  finds  the  bounti- 
ful taDle  of  nature  spread  for  it. 

77.  Why  does  the  caterpillar  eat  voraciously  t 
Because  it  grows  rapidly,  and  a  large  amount 

oi  vegetable  matter  is  necessary  to  supply  the 
rapid  growth  of  its  animal  substance.  Caterpil- 


lars in  the  course  of   a   month   devour  60,000 
times  their  own  weight  of  aliment. 

78.  Why  do  caterpillars  pass  into  the  state  oftht 
chrysalis  ? 

Because  they  are  thereby  prepared  for  the 
new  existence  which  they  are  about  to  enjoy; 
new  organs  must  be  perfected  in  them  to  adapt 
them  to  the  altered  conditions  of  their  lives. 

Because,  also,  in  the  transformation  of  their 
bodies,  differing  materially  from  the  laws  of  ex- 
istence that  pertain  to  other  creatures,  the  Creator 
affords  another  illustration  of  his  Omnipotence. 

Because,  also,  during  the  stage  that  the  insect 
sleeps  in  the  chrysalis,  the  flowers  and  their 
sweet  juices,  upon  which  the  fly  is  to  feed,  are 
being  prepared  for  it,  just  as,  when  it  was  sleep- 
ing in  the  egg,  the  green  food  was  being  pre- 
pared for  the  caterpillar.  When,  therefore,  the 
beautiful  fly  spreads  its  silken  wings,  it  finds  a 
second  time  that,  while  it  has  slept,  its  meal  has 
been  prepared,  and  it  now  flies  away  joyously  to 
feed  upon  the  milk  and  honey  of  beautiful 
flowers  which,  at  the  time  it  passed  into  the 
chrysalis,  had  not  yet  unfolded  their  petals. 

Paley  observes,  that  ' '  the  metamorphosis  of  insects  from 
grubs  into  moths  and  flies  is  an  astonishing  process.  A 
hairy  caterpillar  is  transformed  into  a  butterfly.  Observe 
the  change.  We  have  four  beautiful  wings  where  there 
were  none  before;  a  tubular  proboscis,  in  the  place  of  a 
mouth  with  jaws  and  teeth;  six  long  legs,  instead  of  four- 
teen feet.  In  another  case,  we  see  a  white,  smooth,  soft 
worm,  turned  into  a  black,  hard,  crustaceous  beetle,  with 
gauze  wings.  These,  as  I  said,  are  astonishing  processes, 
and  must  require,  as  it  should  seem,  a  proportionably  arti- 
ficial apparatus.  The  hypothesis  which  appears  to  me 
most  probable  is,  that  in  the  grub  there  exists  at  the  same 
time  three  animals,  one  within  another,  all  nourished  by  the 
same  digestion,  and  by  a  communicating  circulation,  but  in 
different  stages  of  maturity.  The  latest  discoveries  made 
by  naturalists  seem  to  favor  this  supposition.  The  insect, 
already  equipped  with  wings,  is  descried  under  the  mem- 
branes both  of  the  worm  and  nymph.  In  some  species,  the 
proboscis,  the  antenna?,  the  limbs  and  wings  of  the  fly, 
have  been  observed  to  be  folded  up  within  the  body  of  the 
caterpillar;  and  with  such  nicety  as  to  occupy  a  small  space 
only  under  the  two  first  wings.  "  This  being  so,  the  outer- 
most animal,  which,  besides  its  own  proper  character, 
serves  as  an  integument  to  the  other  two,  being  the  farthe; 
advanced,  dies,  as  we  suppose,  and  drops  off  first, 
second,  the  pupa  or  chrysalis,  then  offers  itself  to  observa- 
ton.  This  also,  in  its  turn,  dies;  its  dead  and  brittle  husk 
falls  to  pieces,  and  makes  way  for  the  appearance  of  the  fly 
or  moth.  Now,  if  this  be  the  case,  or  indeed  whatever  ex- 
plication be  adopted,  we  have  a  prospective  contrivance  o 
the  most  curious  kind;  we  have  organizations  three  deep; 
yet  a  vascular  system,  which  supplies  nutrition,  growth, 
and  life,  to  all  of  them  together." 


THE    REASON   WHY    IN    NATURAL   HISTORY. 


497 


79.  Why  does  the  caterpillar  become  torpid  when 
passing  into  the  state  of  the  chrysalis  ? 

Because  in  all  probability,  where  the  difference 
between  the  first  and  the  ultimate  form  is  con- 
siderable, the  organs  of  the  insect  having  to 
undergo  great  changes,  it  would  suffer  consider- 
able pain.  Torpor  comes  upon  the  insect,  it  is 
thrown  into  a  state  similar  to  that  of  a  person 
who  has  inhaled  chloroform  ;  and  after  what 
has,  in  all  probability,  proved  a  pleasant  dream, 
the  insect  awakes  to  find  itself  changed  and 
beautified. 

80.  Why  are  the  pup ce  of  grasshoppers  and  other 
insects,  when  about  to  undergo  transformation,  still 
active  and  sensitive? 

Because,  as  there  is  but  a  slight  difference 
between  the  form  which  they  have  in  the  pupa 
state,  and  that  which  they  ultimately  assume,  they 
do  not  require  the  state  of  torpidity  to  save  them 
from  pain,  nor  to  arrest  their  movements  while 
their  organs  are  being  changed.  With  them  the 
outer  skin  is  thrown  off,  and  they  are  then  per- 
fect insects. 

81.  Why   do   caterpillars,    when  about   to  pass 
through  the  chrysalis  state,  attach  themselves  to  the 
leaves  of  plants,  etc.  ? 

Because  they  know  instinctively  that  for  a 
time  they  will  be  unable  to  control  their  own 
movements,  and  to  avoid  danger.  They  there- 
fore choose  secure  and  dry  places,  underneath 
leaves,  or  in  the  crevices  of  old  and  dry  walls, 
and  there  they  firmly  attach  themselves,  to  await 
the  time  of  their  liberation. 

82.  Why  do  insects  attach  their  eggs  to  leaves, 
etc.? 

Because,  as  the  eggs  have  to  be  preserved  dur- 
ing the  winter,  the  insect  attaches  them  to  some 
surface  which  will  be  a  protection  to  them. 
Generally  speaking,  the  eggs  are  attached  to  the 
permanent  stems  of  plants,  and  not  to  those 
leafy  portions  which  are  liable  to  fall  and  decay. 
The  spider  weaves  a  silken  bag  in  which  it 
deposits  its  eggs,  and  then  it  hangs  the  bag  in  a 
sheltered  situation.  Nature  keeps  her  butterflies, 
moths  and  caterpillars  locked  up  during  the 
winter,  in  their  egg-state;  and  we  have  to 
admire  the  various  devices  to  which,  if  we  may 
so  speak,  the  same  nature  has  resorted  for  the 
security  of  the  egg.  Many  insects  enclose  their 
eggs  in  a  silken  web  ;  others  cover  them  with  a 


coat  of  hair,  torn  from  their  own  bodies  ;  some 
glue  them  together;  and  others,  like  the  moth  of 
the  silkworm,  glue  them  to  the  leaves  upon 
which  they  are  deposited,  that  they  may  not  be 
shaken  off  by  the  wind,  or  washed  away  by  rain; 
some  again  make  incisions  into  leaves,  and  hide 
an  egg  in  each  incision ;  whilst  some  envelope 
their  eggs  with  a  soft  substance,  which  forms  the 
first  aliment  of  the  young  animal ;  and  some 
again  make  a  hole  in  the  earth,  and  having  stored 
it  with  a  quantity  of  proper  food,  deposit  their 
eggs  in  it. 

83.  Why  do  butterflies  fly  by  day? 

Because  they  are  organized  to  enjoy  light 
and-  warmth,  and  they  live  upon  the  sweets  of 
flowers  which  by  day  are  most  accessible. 

84.  Why  do  moths  fly  by  night? 

Because  they  are  organized  to  enjoy  subdued 
light  and  cool  air;  and  as  they  take  very  little 
food  during  the  short  life  they  have  in  the  winged 
state,  they  find  sufficient  by  night.  Some  of  the 
moths,  like  that  of  the  silk- worm,  take  no  food 
from  the  time  they  escape  from  the  chrysalis 
until  they  die. 

Because,  also,  they  form  the  food  of  bats,  owls, 
and  other  of  the  night-flying  tribes. 

85.  Why  are  the  bodies  of  moths  generally  covered 
with  a  very  thick  down? 

Because,  as  they  fly  by  night,  they  are  liable 
to  the  effects  of  cold  and  damp.  The  moths, 
therefore,  are  nearly  all  of  them  covered  with  a 
very  thick  down,  quite  distinguishable  from  the 
lighter  down  of  butterflies. 

86.  Why  do  moths  fly  against  the  candle  flamet 

Because  their  eyes  are  organized  to  bear  only 
a  small  amount  of  light.  When,  therefore,  they 
come  within  the  light  of  a  candle,  their  sight  is 
overpowered  and  their  vision  confused ;  and  as 
they  cannot  distinguish  objects,  they  pursue  the 
light  itself,  and  fly  against  the  flame. 

87.  Why  do  insects  multiply  so  numerously? 
Because  they  form  the  food  of  larger  animals, 

and  especially  of  birds.  A  single  pair  of  spar- 
rows and  a  nest  of  young  ones  have  been  esti- 
mated to  consume  upwards  of  three  thousand 
insects  in  a  week. 

88.  Why  does  the  "death-watch  "  make  a  ticking 
noise  t 


THE    REASON    WHY   IN    NATURAL   HISTORY. 


Because  the  insect  is  one  of  the  beetle  tribe, 
having  a  horny  case  upon  its  head,  with  which 
it  taps  upon  any  hard  substance.  The  ticking  is 
the  call  of  the  insect  to  its  species,  just  as  the 
noise  made  by  the  cricket  is  a  note  of  communi- 
cation with  other  crickets. 

There  is  a  superstition  connected  with  the  death-watch, 
which,  like  most  superstitions,  is  based  upon  the  theory  of 
probabilities.  The  death-watch  is  usually  heard  in  the 
spring  of  the  year,  and  a  superstition  runs  to  the  effect  that 
some  one  in  the  house  will  die  before  the  year  has  ended. 
Persons  who  are  superstitious  are  never  very  strict  in  the 
interpretation  of  their  predictions ;  and  therefore,  whether 
a  person  dies  in  the  house  or  out  of  it,  in  the  same  room 
where  the  death-watch  was  heard,  or  across  the  wide  Atlan- 
tic, so  that  there  be  some  kind  of  relationship,  or  even 
acquaintance,  between  the  person  who  hears  the  omen,  and 
the  person  dying,  the  event  is  sure  to  be  connected  with  the 
prophetic  sounds  of  the  death-watch.  Little  weens  the 
small  timber-boring  beetle,  when  he  is  tapping  gently  to  call 
his  mate,  and  perhaps  peeping  into  every  corner  and  crevice 
to  find  her,  that  he  is  sending  dismay  into  the  heart  of  some 
superstitious  listener,  who,  in  ignorance  of  a  simple  fact, 
overwhelms  herself  with  an  imaginary  grief. 

89.  Why  are  insects  in  the  first  stage,  after  leav- 
ing the  egg,  said  to  be  in  the  "  larva  "  state? 

Because  that  name  is  founded  upon  the  Latin 
word  larva,  meaning  masked,  clothed  as  with  a 
mask  ;  the  term  is  meant  to  express  that  the 
future  insect  is  diguised  in  its  first  form. 

90.  Why  are  insects  in  the  second  state  said  to  be 
in  the  "pupa"  state? 

Because  the  term  is  derived  from  the  Latin 
pupa,  from  a  slight  resemblance  in  the  manner 
in  which  the  insects  are  enclosed,  to  that  in 
which  it  was  the  fashion  of  the  ancients  to 
bandage  their  infants. 

91.  Why  are  insects  in  the  "pupa  "  stage  also 
called  "  chrysalides  "? 

Because,  as  the  Latin  term  implies,  it  is 
adorned  with  gems.  Many  chrysalides  are 
studded  with  golden  and  pearl-like  spots. 

92.  Why  are  the  perfect  insects  said  to  be  in  the 
"  nymph  "  state? 

Because  their  joyful  existence,  and  their  beauti- 
ful forms,  give  them  a  fancied  resemblance  to  the 
nymphs  of  the  heathen  mythology.  The  nymphs 
were  supposed  goddesses  of  the  mountains, 
forests,  meadows,  and  waters. 

This  term  has  generally,  but  very  improperly,  been  also 
applied  to  the  pupa  state,  so  that  pupa,  chrysalis,  and 
nymph  have  all  been  employed  to  represent  one  state. 
This  is  obviously  an  error,  as  there  is  nothing  in  the  condi- 


tion of  the  pupa  or  chrysalis  that  can  at  all  accord  with  the 
mythological  idea  of  a  nymph,  and  which,  in  reference  tc 
the  beautiful  and  joyous  fly,  finds  a  much  truer  application. 

93.  Whence  does  the  snail  obtain  its  shell? 
Young  snails  come  from  the  egg  with  a  shell 

upon  their  backs. 

94.  How  does  the  shell  grow  with  the  increase  of 
size  of  the  animal  ? 

The  soft  slime  which  is  yielded  by  the  body  of 
the  animal  hardens  upon  the  orifice  of  the  shell 
and  thus  increases  its  size. 

95.  Why  is  the  shell  spiral  ? 

Partly  because  of  its  original  formation ;  but 
also  because,  as  the  shell  grows,  the  opening  is 
elongated,  and  thrown  up,  causing  the  spiral 
body  of  the  shell  to  turn,  and  so  to  wind  its 
growth  around  the  center. 

96.  Why  has  the  snail  four  tentacula  attached  to 
its  head  ? 

Because  the  insect,  having  no  other  limbs,  is 
provided  with  those  projecting  members,  the 
lower  two  serving  as  feelers  and  the  upper  two 
also  as  feelers  and  eyes.  These,  projecting  in 
the  front  of  the  animal,  impart  to  it  a  conscious- 
ness of  surrounding  objects,  and  especially  of 
those  which  lie  in  its  path. 

97.  Why  is  the  snail  able  to  move  without  feet  f 
Because  it  has  attached  to  its  body  a  fringe  of 

muscular  skin,  which  is  capable  of  considerable 
contraction  and  expansion,  and  by  alternately 
stretching  and  shortening  this,  the  snail  is  able 
to  draw  himself  along. 

98.  Why  do  we  see  no  snails  in  winter  time  ? 
Because  they  bury  themselves  in  the  ground, 

or  in  holes,  where  they  remain  in  a  torpid  state 
for  several  months.  Before  they  enter  into  the 
torpid  state,  they  form  with  their  slimy  secretion, 
and  with  some  earthy  matters  which  they  collect, 
a  strong  cement  with  which  they  seal  up  the 
opening  to  their  shells. 

99.  Why  can  snails  live  in  shells  thus  sealed  ? 
Because  they  leave,  in  the  thin  wall  by  which 

they  close  themselves  in,  a  small  hole,  too  small 
to  admit  water,  but  large  enough  to  let  in  suffi- 
cient air  to  carry  on  their  feeble  respiration  dur- 
ing their  winter  sleep. 

100.  Why  do  insects  abound  in  putrid  waters,  and 
in  decaying  substances  ? 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


499 


Because  they  have  been  endowed  with  appe- 
tites and  with  constitutions  that  enable  them  to 
live  upon  and  to  enjoy  corrupt  matter.  In  this 
point  of  view  the  maggots  of  flies  are  exceed- 
ingly useful ;  a  dead  carcass  is  speedily  threaded 
by  them  in  every  direction  ;  thus  that  corrupt 
matter  which,  in  a  large  mass,  would  poison  the 
air,  is  taken  up  in  small  portions  by  millions  of 
living  bodies,  and  by  them  dispersed,  and  be- 
comes innoxious. 

101.  Why  do  we  see,   in  tanks   of  rain   water, 
insects  rising  to  the  surface  ? 

Because  numerous  insects  pass  through  their 
first  stages  of  existence  in  water,  and  among 
them  the  common  gnat.  The  gnats  of  the  pre- 
vious season  having  deposited  their  eggs  on  the 
sides  of  the  water-butt,  the  warm  water  develops 
them,  and  the  larvae  of  the  gnats  appear. 

102.  Why  do  they  continually  rise  to  the  surface 
of  the  water  ? 

Because  they  require  to  breathe  air,  and  there- 
fore they  come  up  to  the  surface,  where  elevating 
the  tube  above  the  surface  of  the  water,  they  are 
enabled  to  breathe. 

103.  Why  do  some  appear  to  have  larger  heads 
than  others  ? 

Those  that  have  apparently  larger  heads,  and 
that  breathe  through  tubes  attached  to  their 

i  heads,  are  in  the  pupa,  or  second  stage  of  develop- 
ment, and  underneath  the  large  shield  by  which 

,   their  heads  are  marked,  their  wings,  feet,  etc., 

>  are  being  formed. 

104.  Why,  when  the  water  is  disturbed,  do  the 
larva  descend  more  rapidly  than  the  pupcs  ? 

Because  the  pupae  are  in  a  torpid  condition, 
•   awaiting  the  formation  of  their  perfect  organs. 

105.  Why  are  the  flies  able  to  escape  from  the 
water  ? 

',  Because,  as  their  formation  becomes  perfected, 
and  the  fluids  of  the  body  of  the  pupa  become 
absorbed  in  the  production  of  the  light  texture  of 

;  the  wings,  etc.,  the  body  and  its  case  become 
lighter  than  the  water,  and  rise  and  float  upon 
the  surface.  The  pupa  case  then  forms  a  natural 
boat,  from  which  the  fly  emerges,  and,  spreading 


its  wings,  enters  upon  the  final  state  of  its  exist- 
ence. 

This  interesting  metamorphosis  may  be  seen  going  on  in 
the  summer  time,  in  every  pond,  brook,  and  reservoir.  A 
fine  sunny  morning  calls  up  millions  of  these  little  boats 
from  beneath  the  surface,  and  the  diver  within  th»t 
wonderful  little  bell  breaks  its  sealed  doors,  and  flies  awa  t 
to  enjoy  the  bright  sunshine. 

1 06.  Why  are  beetles  denominated  " coleoptera" » 
Because  they  have  wings  protected  by  horny 

sheaths  ;  the  term  coleoptera  signifies  wings  in  a 
sheath. 

107.  Why  have  beetles  hard,  horny  wing  cases  9 
Because  they   live   underground,  or  in   holes 

excavated  in  wood,  etc.  If,  therefore,  their  wings 
were  not  protected  by  a  hard  and  firm  covering, 
they  would  be  constantly  liable  to  destruction 
from  the  movement  of  the  insect  within  hard  and 
rough  bodies. 

The  elytra,  or  scaly  wings  of  the  genus  of  scarabaeus,  or 
beetle,  furnish  an  example  of  this  kind.  The  true  wing  c 
the  animal  is  a  light,  transparent  membrane,  finer  than  th 
finest  gauze,  and  not  unlike  it.  It  is  also,  when  expanded 
in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  animal,  very  large.  In 
order  to  protect  this  delicate  structure,  and,  perhaps,  also 
to  preserve  it  in  a  due  state  of  suppleness  and  humidity,  a 
strong,  hard  case  is  given  to  it,  in  the  shape  of  the  horny 
wing  which  we  call  the  elytron.  When  the  animal  is 
at  rest,  the  gauze  wings  lie  folded  up  under  this  impenetra- 
ble shield.  When  the  beetle  prepares  for  flying,  he  raises 
the  integument,  and  spreads  out  his  thin  membrane  to  the 
air.  And  it  cannot  be  observed  without  admiration,  what  a 
tissue  of  cordage,  *'.  e.  of  muscular  tendons,  must  run  in 
various  and  complicated,  but  determinate  directions,  along 
this  fine  surface,  in  order  to  enable  the  animal  either  to 
gather  it  up  into  a  certain  precise  form,  whenever  it  desires 
to  place  its  wings  under  the  shelter  which  nature  has  given 
to  them,  or  to  expand  again  their  folds  when  wanted  for 
action. 

In  some  insects,  the  elytra  cover  the  whole  body;  in 
others  half ;  in  others  only  a  small  part  of  it ;  but  in  all 
they  completely  hide  and  cover  the  true  wings. 

Many,  or  most  of  the  beetle  species  lodge  in  holes  in  the 
earth,  environed  by  hard,  rough  substances,  and  have  fre- 
quently to  squeeze  their  way  through  narrow  passages ;  in 
which  situation,  wings  so  tender,  and  so  large,  could  scarcely 
have  escaped  injury,  without  both  a  firm  covering  to  defend 
them,  and  the  capacity  of  folding  themselves  up  under  its 
protection. 

108.  Why  have  many  of  the  beetle  tribe  large, 
strong  horns  ? 

Because  as  they  live  in  holes  in  the  earth,  or 
in  excavations  in  wood,  they  use  their  horns  to 
dig  out  their  places  of  retreat. 


500 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


FISHES. 


109.    Why  have  fishes  fins  ? 

The  fins  of  fishes  are  to  them  what  wings  and 
tails  are  to  birds,  enabling  them  to  rise  in  the 
fluid  in  which  they  live  by  the  reaction  of  the 
motions  of  the  fins  upon  its  substance. 

no.  Why  are  the  fins  of  fishes  proportionately  so 
much  smaller  than  the  wings  of  birds  f 

Because  there  is  less  difference  between  the 
specific  gravity  of  the  body  of  a  fish,  and  the 
water  in  which  it  moves,  than  between  the  body 
of  a  bird,  and  the  air  on  which  it  flies.  The  fish, 
therefore,  does  not  require  such  an  expanded  sur- 
face to  elevate  it  or  guide  it. 

in.    Why  have  fishes  scales  ? 

Because  scales,  while  they  afford  protection 
to  the  bodies  of  fish,  are  conveniently  adapted  to 
their  motions  ;  and  as  the  scales  present  no  sur- 
face to  obstruct  their  passage  through  the  water, 
as  hair  or  feathers  would  do,  they  evidently  form 
the  best  covering  for  the  aquatic  animal. 

112.  Why  do  fishes  float  in  streams  (when  they 
are  not  swimming)    with  their  heads  toward  the 
stream  f 

Because  they  breathe  by  the  transmission  of 
water  over  the  surface  of  their  gills,  the  water 
entering  at  the  mouth,  and  passing  over  the  gills 
behind.  When,  therefore,  they  lie  motionless 
with  their  heads  to  the  stream,  they  are  in  that 
position  which  naturally  assists  their  breathing 
process. 

113.  Why  have  fishes  air-bladders  ? 
Because,  as  the  density  01  water  varies  greatly 

at  different  depths,  the  enlargement  or  contrac- 
tion of  the  bladder  regulates  the  relation  of  the' 
specific  gravity  of  the  body  of  the  fish  to  that  of 
the  water  in  which  it  moves. 

114.  Why  have  whales  a  very  large  development 
of  oily  matter  about  their  heads  ? 

Because  their  heads  are  thereby  rendered  the 
lighter  part  of  their  bodies,  and  a  very  slight 
exertion  on  the  part  of  the  animal  will  bring  its 
head  to  the  surface  to  breathe  air,  which  it  con- 
stantly requires. 

115.  Why  have  mussels  strong,  tendinous  threads 
proceeding  from  their  shells  t 


Because  as  they  live  in  places  that  are  beaten 
by  the  surf  of  the  sea,  they  moor  their  shells  by 
those  threads  to  rocks  and  timbers. 

1 1 6.  Why  have  cockles  stiff,  muscular  tongues  ? 
Because,  having  no  threads  to  moor  themselves, 

as  the  mussels   have,  they   dig   out   with   their 
tongues  a  shelter  for  themselves  in  the  sand. 

117.  Why  has  the  whale  feathery-like  lamina  oj 
whale-bone  extending  from  its  jaws  ? 

Because  these  feathery  bones,  lying  side  by 
side,  form  a  sieve,  or  strainer,  for  the  largo 
volumes  of  water  which  the  whale  receives  into 
its  mouth,  drawing  off  therefrom  millions  of  small 
animals,  which  form  a  jelly-like  mass  upon  which 
the  whale  feeds.  A  whale  has  been  known  to 
weigh  as  much  as  249  tons,  and  its  blubber 
yielded  4,000  gallons  of  oil.  How  many  millions 
of  living  creatures  must  have  gone  to  make  up  that 
enormous  mass  of  animal  matter  ! 

1 1 8.  Why  does  not  the  iris  of  the  fisKs  eye  con- 
tract ? 

Because  the  diminished  light  in  water  is  never 
too  strong  for  the  retina. 

119.  Why  is  the  eye  of  the  eel  covered  with  a 
transparent  horny  covering  ? 

Because  as  the  eel  lives  in  holes,  and  pushes 
its  head  into  mud,  and  under  stones,  etc.,  it 
needed  such  a  covering  to  defend  the  eye. 

1 20.  Why  is  the  whale  provided  with   an   eyt 
having  remarkably  thick  and  strong  coats  ? 

Because,  when  he  is  attacked  by  the  sword-fish 
and  the  shark,  he  is  almost  helpless  against  his 
enemies,  as  they  fix  themselves  upon  his  huge 
carcass.  He  therefore  dives  with  them  down 
to  a  depth  where  the  pressure  of  the  water  is  so 
great  that  they  cannot  bear  it.  The  eye  of  the 
whale  is  expressly  organized  to  bear  the  immense 
pressure  of  extreme  ocean  depths,  without  im- 
pairing the  sight. 

121.  Why  have  fishes  no  eyelids  f 

Because  the  water  in  which  they  swim  keeps 
their  eyes  moist.  Eyelids  would  therefore  be 
useless  to  them. 

122.  Why  have  fishes  the  power  of  giving  their 
eye-balls  very  sudden  motion  i 


THE    REASON    WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


Because,  having  no  eyelids  (such  organs  being 
unnecessary  to  keep  their  eyes  moist),  they  still 
need  the  power  of  freeing  their  eyes  from  the 
contact  of  foreign  matters ;  and  this  is  secured 
to  them  by  the  power  they  have  of  giving  the 
eye-ball  a  very  rapid  motion,  which  causes 
reaction  in  the  fluid  surrounding  it,  and  sweeps 
the  surface. 


This  motion  may  frequently  be  seen  in  the  eyes  of  fishes, 
in  glass  globes. 

123.  Why  are  the  tails  of  fishes  so  much  larger 
than  their  fins  ? 

Because  their  tails  are  their  chief  instruments 
of  motion,  while  their  fins  are  employed  simply 
to  direct  their  progress,  and  steady  their  move- 
ments. 


WEATHER  CHANGES 

AS    INDICATED    BY  ANIMALS. 

The  observation  of  the  changing  phenomena  which  attend  the  various  states  of  the  weather  is  a  very  interesting  study, 
though  no  general  rules  can  be  laid  down  that  can  be  relied  upon,  because  there  are  modifying  circumstances  which 
influence  the  weather  in  various  localities  and  climates.  To  observe  weather  indications  accurately,  no  phenomenon 
should  be  taken  alone,  but  several  should  be  regarded  together.  The  character  and  the  duration  of  the  weather  of  the 
preceding  days,  the  direction  of  the  wind,  the  forms  of  the  clouds,  the -indications  of  the  barometer,  the  rise  or  fall  of 
the  thermometer,  and  the  instinctive  forewarnings  of  birds,  beasts,  insects  and  flowers,  should  all  be  taken  into  account. 
Although  no  direct  material  advantages  attend  such  a  study,  it  induces  a  habit  of  observation,  and  develops  the  inductive 
faculty  of  the  mind,  which,  when  applied  to  more  significant  things,  may  trace  important  effects  to  their  greater  causes. 


1 24.  Why  when  swallows  fly  low  may  wet  weather 
be  expected  ? 

Because  the  insects  which  the  swallows  pursue 
in  their  flight  are  flying  low,  to  escape  the  cold- 
ness of  the  upper  regions  of  the  atmosphere. 

125.  Why  do  ducks  and  geese  go  to   the  water, 
and  dash  it  over   their  backs,   on   the  approach    of 
rain  ? 

Because  by  wetting  the  outer  coat  of  their 
feathers  before  the  rain  falls,  by  sudden  dashes 
of  water  over  the  surface,  they  prevent  the  drops 
of  rain  from  penetrating  to  their  bodies  through 
the  open  and  dry  feathers. 

126.  Why  do  horses  and  cattle  stretch  out  their 
nicks  and  snuff  the  air  on  the  approach  of  rain  ? 

Because  they  smell  the  fragrant  perfume  which 
is  diffused  in  the  air  by  its  increasing  moistness. 

127.  Why  may  change  of  weather  be  anticipated 
when  domestic  animals  are  restless  f 

Because  their  skins  are  exceedingly  sensitive 
to  atmospheric  influences,  and  they  are  oppressed 
and  irritated  by  the  changing  condition  of  the 
atmosphere. 

128.  Why  may  fine  weather  be   expected  when 
spiders  are  seen  busily  constructing  their  webs  ? 

Because  those  insects  are  highly  sensitive  to 
the  state  of  the  atmosphere,  and  when  it  is  setting 
fine  they  build  their  webs,  because  they  know 
instinctively  that  flies  will  be  abroad. 


129.  Why  is  wet  weather  to  be  expected  when 
spiders  hide  ? 

Because  it  shows  that  they  are  aware  that  the 
state  of  the  atmosphere  does  not  favor  the  flight 
of  insects. 

130.  Why  if  gnats  fly  in  large  numbers  may  fin* 
weather  be  expected  f 

Because  it  shows  that  they  feel  the  state  of  the 
atmosphere  to  be  favorable,  which  induces  them 
all  to  leave  their  places  of  shelter. 

131.  Why  if  owls  scream  during  foul  weather -, 
will  it  change  to  fine  ? 

Because  the  birds  are  pleasurably  excited  by  a 
favorable  change  in  the  atmosphere. 

132.  Why  is  it  said  that  the  moping  of  the  owl 
foretells  death  ? 

Because  owls  scream  when  the  weather  is  on 
the  change  ;  and  when  a  patient  is  lingering  on  a 
death-bed,  the  alteration  in  the  state  of  the 
atmosphere  frequently  induces  death,  because 
the  faint  and  expiring  flame  of  life  has  not 
strength  enough  to  adapt  itself  to  the  change. 

133.  Why  may  wet  weather  be  expected  when 
spiders  break  off  their  webs,  and  remove  them  9 

Because  the  insects,  anticipating  the  approach 
of  rain,  remove  their  webs  for  preservation. 

134.  Why  may  we  expect  a  continuance  of  fi** 
weather  when  bees  wander  far  from  their  hivct  f 


502 


THE    REASON   WHY    IN    NATURAL    HISTORY. 


Because  the  bees  feel  instinctively  that  from 
the  state  of  the  atmosphere  they  may  wander  far 
in  search  of  honey,  without  the  danger  of  being 
overtaken  by  rain. 

I35-  Why  if  people  feel  their  corns  ache,  and 
their  bones  rheumatic,  may  rain  be  expected  ? 

Because  the  dampness  of  the  atmosphere 
affects  its  pressure  upon  the  body  and  causes  a 
temporary  disturbance  of  the  system.  All  gen- 
eral disturbances  of  the  body  manifest  them- 
selves in  those  parts  which  are  in  a  morbid  state 
— as  in  a  corn,  a  rheumatic  bone,  or  a  decayed 
tooth. 

136.  Why  if  various  flowers  close  may  rain  be 
expected  t 

Because  plants  are  highly  sensitive  to  atmos- 
pheric changes,  and  close  their  petals  to  protect 
their  stamens. 

137.  Why  when  moles  throw  up  their  hills  may 
rain  be  expected? 

Because  the  moles  know  instinctively  that  on 
the  approach  of  wet,  worms  move  in  the  ground  ; 
the  moles  therefore  become  active,  and  form 
their  hills. 

138.  Why  is  a  magpie,  when  seen  alone,  said  to 
foretell  bad  weather  ? 

Because  magpies  generally  fly  in  company ; 
but  on  the  approach  of  wet  or  cold,  one  remains 
in  the  nest  to  take  care  of  the  young,  while  the 
other  one  wanders  alone  in  search  of  food. 

139.  Why  do  sea-gulls  appear  numerous  in  fine 
weather  ? 

Because  the  fishes  swim  near  to  the  surface  of 
the  sea,  and  the  birds  assemble  over  the  sea  to 


catch  the  fish,  instead  of  sitting  on  rocks,  or  wad- 
ing on  the  shore. 

140.  Why  do  sea-gulls  fly  over  the  land  on  tht 
approach  of  stormy  weather  ? 

Because  in  stormy  weather  they  cannot  catch 
fish  ;  and  the  earth-worms  come  up  on  the  land 
when  the  rain  falls. 

141.  Why  if  birds  cease  to  sing,  may  wet,  and 
probably  thunder,  be  expected? 

Because  birds  are  depressed  by  an  unfavorable 
change  in  the  atmosphere,  and  lose  those  joyful 
spirits  which  give  rise  to  their  songs. 

142.  Why  if  cattle  run  around  in  meadows,  may 
thunder  be  expected  ? 

Because  the  electrical  state  of  the  atmosphere 
has  the  effect  of  making  them  feel  uneasy  and 
irritable,  and  they  chase  each  other  about  to  gel 
rid  of  the  irritability. 

143.  Why  if  birds  of  passage  arrive  early,  may 
severe  weather  be  expected  ? 

Because  it  shows  that  the  indications  of  un- 
favorable weather  have  set  in,  in  the  latitudes 
from  which  the  birds  come,  and  that  they  have 
taken  an  early  flight  to  escape  it. 

144.  Why  if  the  webs  of  the  gossamer  spider  fly 
about  in  the  autumn,  may  west  winds  be  antici- 
pated ? 

Because  a  west  wind  is  a  dry  and  dense  wind, 
and  suitable  to  the  flight  of  the  gossamer  spider ; 
the  spider  feeling  instinctively  th2  dryness  of  the 
air,  throws  out  its  web,  and  find,  it  more  than 
usually  buoyant  upon  the  dense  air. 


2     9734 


28  1977 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

BIOLOGY  LIBRARY 

TEL.  NO.  642-2532 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

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LD21A-6m-l,'75 
(S3364SlO)476-A-32 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


